System and method for online communications management

ABSTRACT

A system and method are disclosed. One or more processors prioritize at least some tasks and actions associated with a user. A to-do list is provided that includes the prioritized task. First electronic data event information representing a sending or receiving of data associated with at least one of the tasks is received and at least one of the tasks and at least some of the actions are reprioritized. The to-do list is modified based at least on the reprioritizing, and is provided to the user.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/428,712, filed on Dec. 30, 2010 and entitled“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT,” the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present application relates, generally, to communications and, moreparticular, to managing and integrating remote communications inconnection with personal and professional productivity.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently, many people use a plethora of devices, tools and formats tocommunicate with each other. Cellular telephones, personal digitalassistants, smart-phones, facsimile machines, e-mail, chat, SMS andvoice over IP (“VOIP”), for example, are used by individuals tocommunicate. Too many isolated tools are needed to complete tasks,resulting in inefficiency and ineffectiveness. The ability to manageand/or track such communications is difficult at least becausecommunication is dispersed across too many media. Too much time iswasted deciding what people need to do and when people need to do it.

Moreover, discerning how to prioritize a plurality of communications iscurrently difficult. Much information that is communication betweenparties may be understood between the parties at a particular time tohave particular significance, but other parties monitoring suchcommunication, or the same parties over time may not be able toprioritize communications adequately.

Further, the various tools, devices and formats currently in use forcommunication often provide unnecessary and undesirable redundancies.Currently, there is no adequate way to consolidate differentcommunications that may relate to a single or particular task.

SUMMARY

The present application provides a system and method for reduction,prioritization and consolidation associated with communication,including the tools, devices and formats of the communication, as wellas the messages and discussions that are transmitted thereby. This isprovided, at least in part, by providing an active, automated to-do listfor everything that enters and exits a person's workflow environment,including by consolidating respective tasks that may need to becompleted, paired with the tools needed to complete each task. Thisresults in a removal of barriers that block activity and productivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings several forms, which are presently preferred, it beingunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown. The features and advantages ofthe present invention will become apparent from the followingdescription of the invention that refers to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example hardware arrangement, in accordance withan embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 illustrates functional elements, of which one or more may beconfigured in a computing device, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows an example display that includes features provided inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates another example display that includes featuresprovided in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows another example display that includes features provided inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a “ripple effect,” in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate example hardware arrangements, in accordancewith one or more embodiments; and

FIGS. 9A-9H are flow charts illustrating steps associated with taskvalue determinations, in accordance with an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In an embodiment, a productivity network is disclosed that supports anetwork of people who are connected, for example, to one or more sets oftasks, and who have tools necessary to complete each task. Theproductivity network in accordance with the present applicationdramatically increases efficiency of task completion over known systemsand methods. As used herein, the term, “task,” refers, generally assomething that needs to be completed by the user. For example, a taskmay be as simple as answering a message, writing a document, orattending an event. Also as used herein, the term, “data-event” relatesto a transmission of data, and may represent any way that data are sentand received. For example, data may be transmitted via an API, via awell-known protocol, via a proprietary protocol, via user data entry(including by selections made in response to prompts), and via analogsources. Data-events may trigger correlating processes by a computer.Also as used herein, the term, task-action refers to things that areperformed by users, or substantially automatically for theaccomplishment of tasks. Moreover, as used herein the term,“task-generation” relates to things that are performed by users orsubstantially automatically for the creation of tasks. The productivitynetwork provided in accordance with the teachings herein may beimplemented in an Internet web-based environment that provides userswith access to tools that may be necessary to complete their tasks. Forexample, the web-based environment supports an interactivecommunications portal, document, spreadsheet, CAD and presentationcreation, viewing tools and calendar-related functionality.

The tools disclosed herein may be provided to take advantage ofreal-time push technologies to improve collaboration for a plurality ofusers. The communications portal represents a technological breakthroughfor organizational efficiency, for example, in the Internet-basedcommunications sector.

In an embodiment, a core tool set is complemented by a revolutionarytask manager that employs a prioritization algorithm that compares, forexample, time intervals spent on actions that are of similar purpose(size or end result), distance and time between physical locations, andreal-time prioritization of communication access to maximize theefficiency of task completion. The core tools set performs at least someof the equivalent functionality of a qualified personal assistant whodecides what is needed to do and when it is needed to do it, and who canperform some task-actions for the user, such as making travel orrestaurant or entertainment reservations by interpreting conversations,with diminished (or, in some cases, without) user participation withtimesaving goals in mind.

The teachings herein may also be characterized as a productivityoperating system. Through an extensive SDK (Software Developers Kit),consisting of line-optimized API's, developers are able to incorporateother tools (programs) or items (materials) that help individuals orlarge organizations complete niche specific tasks in the most efficientmanor possible. Third-party tools may be offered for purchase through,for example, an in-platform application store.

The productivity network is preferably web-based, but may also extend topopular mobile platforms through mobile-formatted sites and in-housemobile applications. Alternatively, the teachings herein may be providedas a desktop application as well, for example, for enterprise use.

The platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present applicationprovides an API for integrating Audio/Video Call functionality. Also,functionality may be provided to integrate or launch screen sharing as atool in support of a task-action. Further, and in connection with screensharing, an embodiment of the present application may provide API callsfor screen sharing. The application may allow a user to launch a screensharing session, for example to invite other users by email. Also, auser may record data/communication sessions or enable at least one otherparticipant to function as a presenter.

Moreover and in connection with a mobile platform, the application mayprovide one or more client applications with support for audio/video, assupported by corresponding phones. The application supports one or moreof the following phone platforms, or another of like kind. ANDROIDMOBILE/TABLET; IPHONE/IPAD iOS; BLACKBERRY; AND WINDOWS MOBILE. Thesephones may be called directly by the administrator of the conference, ormay join a conference by connecting to the conference through the mobileapplication.

In connection with web browser software applications, the presentapplication supports many applications, including web browser softwareapplications that include a FLASH plug-in, HTML or any display-renderinglanguage, or other multi-media supporting tools.

In connection with a chat application, the present application mayprovide integration with popular instant messaging (“IM”) networks, suchas GTALK/MSN MESSENGER/YAHOO/AIM/ICQ/FACEBOOK/MYSPACE. One or more ofthe following API calls may be provided or otherwise available.LinkAccount; GetBuddyList; SendMessage; ReceiveMessage;SubscribeUpdates; and RemoveAccount. In connection with a server sideAPI, various server side API calls may be provided via standard Internetweb services, which may be may be consumed either in various open sourceplatforms, such as PYTHON, or in proprietary platforms. Accordingly, thepresent application may provide web services, without a need to supportor otherwise provide language-specified API's.

In an embodiment, documentation that may be published on the Internet isprovided for API calls along with sample code for a client side and/or aserver side API. Moreover, API testing and support may be provided forintegration on an on-going basis. For example, for various platforms,invitations may be created and sent to any platform for users to join.An example is WEBEX.

Thus, the present application provides one or more APIs for integratingaudio/video chat functionality. Also, functionality is provided tointegrate or launch screen sharing. A client API, for example, usingHTML5 and Bandwidth Dispersion application(s) may be provided andinstalled on a user's computer to optimize bandwidth usage. For example,an installable application may be provided for client computers.Video/audio feeds may be broadcast peer to peer, as long as bandwidth isavailable on client's PC. In the event there is not enough bandwidth theapplication utilizes one or more servers for broadcasting video/audiofeeds.

Moreover, APIs for virtually unlimited web browser and mobile forexample (Android/iOS/RIM) HD HTML5/CSS3/Web-Kit-based group videoconferencing with video and audio recording are provided. The presentapplication may include a bandwidth dispersion technique, and A->Banalytics for video chat usage. Further, cross-platform integration issupported for video chat, and users may be able to video chat withpeople using exterior services as well as within one or more “interior”web and mobile applications. This may include exterior services that mayor may not contain native video chat support. Examples includeAIM/ICHAT, GCHAT/GOOGLE applications, FACEBOOK chat/messaging, SKYPE,native ANDROID video chat (activated by calling phone number),FACETIME/IOS (activated by calling phone number), native RIM video chatclient (activated by calling phone number), native WINDOWS mobile videochat (activated by calling phone number), native WINDOWS 7 video chatclient/LYNC, native EXCHANGE video chat client (if applicable), nativeLOTUS client (IBM Same time) (if applicable), and WEBX desktop client(if applicable).

In an embodiment, video is provided in accordance with a user'scomputing device's skin/size preferences, and data-events associatedwith video are accessed. Maximum quality video capable of beingsupported by user's device, such as 1080p “HD video” resolution orhigher may be supported, as well as respective descending qualityofferings (e.g., 720p). Additionally, a surround-sound and/or stereomechanism may be provided, and noise interference cancellation and/oroptimization may be provided for transmitting audio of people during anaudio or video call session.

The present application further supports desktop sharing and controlsubstantially in real time. Moreover, video from sites, such as YOUTUBEmay be played, and other embedded links which can be seen by a pluralityof users, for example in an on-line or virtual conference, areselectable. Preferably, a video and/or audio session is supported perconference, which can be heard and/or seen by parties participating inthe conference. The application further provides the ability to sharevideo/audio/images within a conference, and to display custom visualelements within video-conference such as drawing or laser pointing.Other features include a server-side library, such as for Python and Go.Moreover, video chat functionality is supported by various browsers,including, for example, Chrome, 1E6+ (Chrome Plug-In), Safari 3+,Firefox 3.5+ (Gecko), Opera, Safari Mobile Browser, Chrome Mobile forAndroid, Blackberry Mobile Browser, iOS—for IPAD/IPHONE,GINGERBREAD/HONEYCOMB/ICE-CREAM-SANDWICH—for ANDROID MOBILE/TABLET, RIMOS, OSX AND WINDOWS 7.

The present application may receive incoming data-events from a numberof APIs, as well as from direct analog voice transmissions (e.g., voicemail and/or telephone conversations) and uses an API function to do avoice-to-text translation. That text may be used by another API-suppliedservice such as SEMANTIC INTERPRETATION, which in turn drives otherfunctions. Thus, other data-events may arrive over a telephone line.

It is recognized by the inventors that most corporate/enterprise usersuse cellular telephones when away from their desks. While at theirdesks, however, they use land-based telephones, as well as corporatenetworks for laptops or desktops. The present application providesavailability of these feeds, as well.

In an embodiment, the interposition of a splitter may include socketsfor a phone/data system. In an embodiment, it is installed by unpluggingthe phone cord on the back of the phone, and plugging it into theappropriate socket on the splitter. Corresponding physical short cordsmay be then plugged into both the splitter and the desktop or laptopcomputers, so that the acquisition of data-event streams may beaccomplished. A Bluetooth or an equivalent transmitter may also beincorporated into the splitter.

The present application supports optimal voice protocol selections,including for backward-compatible voice devices. For example, thepresent application provides the ability to select an optimal voiceprotocol method by comparing cellular and landline reception qualitywith VoIP Web-based connection quality. In an embodiment, a mobiledevice's cellular quality may be examined by analyzing reception barsand mobile Internet access (Edge/3G/4G, and so on) provided bydata-events accessed, as described herein. Data-events may be convertedfor the purpose of analyzing voice quality, and cellular data-events maybe accessed via native APIs or through short code carrier functionality.

In an embodiment, the data-events and voice quality analysis from thecellular service is monitored and compared to the VoIP quality analysis(accessed through APIs), and the optimal protocol is selected when auser places or receives a call from the mobile device, and iscontinually checked for updated selection by pushed API calls foroptimal quality throughout the call.

In an embodiment, a backwards compatible voice device (hardware module),equipped with a standard CAT-5 and/or a RJ-9 phone line connection(input and output), Ethernet/LAN connection (input), Wi-Fi support(output), and a physical connection such as USB 3.0 (output) orThunderbolt I/O (output) or an equivalent connection, is supported thatconnects to a Computer-based peripheral for data-event transfer, audiotransfer, plug-in installation, and power reception.

The backwards compatible voice device may allow for a realtime qualitycomparison between the phone line connection and the VoIP connection(Ethernet or Wi-Fi). In an embodiment, a computer plug-in proceeds toinstall upon connecting the device to the computer (e.g. USB 3.0 orThunderbolt I/O), preferably when permission is received from the user,in order to obtain future data-events from the input connection(s) inthe form of voice quality information and content recollection. When twoor more inputs are connected, the optimal connection is selected for thebrowser-based computer user by applying the same algorithm used foroptimal mobile voice protocol selection.

Users connected to the mobile and browser-based application and thebackwards compatible voice device receive preferred optimal receptionselection with all the following connections being compared at maximum:cellular, mobile VoIP (e.g. Edge/3G/4G, and so on), phone line (e.g.CAT-5 or RJ-9), and for example Ethernet or Wi-Fi VoIP. Incomingtelephone calls may be made first available through the optimal devicethrough the optimal protocol, with the call being momentarily delayedand routed to the alternate device through the optimal protocol. Alloutgoing calls may be processed by the optimal protocol through theselected device.

Referring now to the drawing figures, in which like reference numeralsrepresent like elements, FIG. 1 illustrates an example hardwarearrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.Referred to generally, herein, as system 100, the arrangement providesfor monitoring and notification services in accordance with theteachings herein. System 100 includes at least one information processor102 (configured to operate as an Internet web server and/or databasefile server) that is programmed and configured to access communicationnetwork 106 and communicate with computing device(s) 104. Computingdevices 104 may be personal computers, and may further be mobiledevices, such as one or more of the GOOGLE ANDROID, APPLE IOS, WINDOWSMOBILE operating systems, and may include smartphone devices, tabletcomputing devices, or other mobile portable devices. Computing devices104 and information processor(s) 102 may communicate via the knowncommunications protocol, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol“TCP/IP.” Information processor 102 and computing device(s) 104preferably are provided with or have access to all databases necessaryto support the present application.

Communication network 106 is preferably a global public communicationnetwork such as the Internet, but can also be a wide area network (WAN),local area network (LAN), an intranet or other network that enablescomputing devices and peripheral devices to communicate.

In a preferred embodiment, information processor(s) 102 and computingdevices 104 may be equipped with web browser software, such as MICROSOFTINTERNET EXPLORER, MOZILLA FIREFOX, GOOGLE CHROME, APPLE SAFARI or thelike. Information processor 102 and computing devices 104 are coupled tocommunication network 106 using any known data communication networkingtechnology.

FIG. 2 illustrates functional elements, of which one or more may beconfigured in an example information processor 102 and/or computingdevice 104. The functional elements shown in FIG. 2 include one or morecentral processing units (CPU) 202 used to execute software code andcontrol operations. Other elements shown in FIG. 2 include read-onlymemory (ROM) 204, random access memory (RAM) 206, one or more networkinterfaces 208 to transmit and receive data-events to and from othercomputing devices across a communication network, storage devices 210such as a hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, tape drive, CD ROM or DVDfor storing program code databases and application data-events, one ormore input devices 212 such as a keyboard, mouse, track ball, microphoneand the like, and a display 214.

The various components illustrated in FIG. 2 need not be physicallycontained within a single device chassis or even located in a singlelocation. For example, storage device 210 may be located at a site thatis remote from the remaining elements of information processor 102, andmay even be connected to CPU 202 across communication network 106 vianetwork interface 208. Information processor 102 and/or computing device104 may include a memory equipped with sufficient storage, such as toprovide or access the necessary databases, forums, and other communityservices communicating hypertext markup language (HTML), Java applets,and/or Active-X control programs. Information processor 102 and/orcomputing device 104 are arranged with components, for example, thoseshown in FIG. 2, suitable for the expected operating environment. TheCPU(s) 202, network interface(s) 208 and memory and storage devices areselected to ensure that capacities are arranged to accommodate expecteddemand.

The nature of the present application is such that one skilled in theart of writing computer executable code (i.e., software) can implementthe functions described herein using one or more of a combination ofpopular computer programming languages and developing environmentsincluding, but not limited to, C, C++, Visual Basic, JAVA, HTML, XML,ACTIVE SERVER PAGES, JAVA server pages, servlets, MYSQL, PHP and RUBY ONRAILS.

Although the present application is described by way of example hereinand in terms of a web-based system using web browsers and a web siteserver (e.g., information processor 102), system 100 is not limited tosuch a configuration. It is contemplated that system 100 is arrangedsuch that information processor 102 and/or computing devices 104communicate with and outputs data-events using any known communicationmethod, for example, using a non-Internet browser WINDOWS viewer coupledwith a local area network protocol such as the Internet Packet Exchange(IPX), dial-up, third-party, private network or a value added network(VAN). Moreover, information processor 102 and/or computing devices 104may communicate via an application developed to run on the iOS orANDROID operating systems.

It is further contemplated that any suitable operating system can beused on information processor 102 and/or computing device 104, forexample, DOS, WINDOWS 3.x, WINDOWS 95, WINDOWS 98, WINDOWS NT, WINDOWS2000, WINDOWS ME, WINDOWS CE, WINDOWS POCKET PC, WINDOWS XP, WINDOWSVISTA, WINDOWS 7, MAC OS, UNIX, LINUX, PALM OS, POCKET PC, BLACKBERRY,ANDROID, IOS, WEB OS and any other suitable operating system.

In an embodiment, the network functions on many if not all scales bybeing decentralized. In an embodiment, people create a scaled-backpersonal productivity network for individual use or, alternatively, afull-scale productivity network for use in large organizations such ascorporations or universities. Private networks provided by the teachingsherein may be provided on a central server for SaaS functionality (i.e.server is provided at a remote service bureau data center) or,alternatively, may be on a server appliance in an enterprise. In yetanother embodiment, networks may be integrated through a licensedoffering operating in existing organizations, such as via one or morefirewall-protected intranets. The latter two enterprise offerings may bemanaged by one or more remotely provided support teams, anorganization's internal IT department, or a combination thereof.

Proprietary Functionality

In an embodiment, a communications portal is provided that iseffectively a consolidation of Internet-related communication protocols.An ability to organize existing and future conversations occurringthrough different methods and/or services is provided via asynchronization of various Internet communications protocols and/ormessaging API's (Application Programming Interface), which may maintainSSL Encryption (Secure Sockets Layer) and/or TLS Encryption (TransportLayer Security) or the like. Such protocols may include IMAP (InternetMessage Access Protocol), POP (Post Office Protocol), XMPP (ExtensibleMessaging and Presences Protocol)/IM (Instant Messaging), VoIP (Voiceover Internet Protocol), SMS (Short Message Service)/MMS (MultimediaMessaging Service), Messaging API's (Facebook, Gchat, AIM, Skype, or thelike), and/or IP videoconferencing.

Moreover, literal text-based conversations that are accessed throughstandard Internet protocols or proven API's are preferably funneled andspecifically threaded to a user or users to which the conversationoriginated and/or applies. In one example, a category of “no subjectconversations” is supported, in which users may create topics to furtherorganize conversations. Such topics may then be tagged to one or morerespective tasks. For example, the topic may be provided in a “subjectline,” as known in the art. The effect that arises is one whereconversations, regardless of where occurring, are sortable based on oneor more criteria, such as by one or more persons, or by task in whichdiscussion is relied upon for completion.

In the instance where a conversation occurs via VoIP or IPvideoconferencing, the conversation is preferably recorded andtranscribed to text, so the conversation can be appropriately threadedand/or indexed.

In one or more embodiments, speech-to-text translation is provided forcalls that are made or received by a user's telephone (e.g., cellularphone or smartphone, or landline). In one embodiment, the provider ofthe teachings herein supplies telephone hardware to users. In addition,speech-to-text translation may be provided for voicemail. Additionally,speech-to-text translation may be provided for IP videoconferencing,in-network VoIP calls, and voicemail left on users' personal phonenumbers on their mobile devices. In an embodiment, task-specific, orconversation-specific vocabulary may be added by user(s) to improvespeech-to-text translations. Semantic analysis may function as anaccessory to the speech-to-text translation by identifying keywords thattrigger one or more operations. For example, by mentioning the word“reservation or “restaurant”, a reservation system API (OpenTable, forexample) may automatically open in which the Coordinator (as describedherein) automates scheduling, including by recognizing dates/times. Thismay occur through semantic analysis interpretation of speech-to-texttranslation, or text-based messages, with which the Coordinator willrecommend optimal dates/times according to common available time-slotsthat may also be similar or equivalent to any dates/times, such asdescribed herein.

Moreover, parallel semantic analysis of outgoing e-mails may also beperformed. The results can then be used for a variety of purposes, suchas for categorization of e-mail into a specific conversation stream, orthe generation of one or more tasks in the to-do list.

In an embodiment, the communications portal supports contacting users.Due to the integrated nature of the synchronization aspect, the systemand method herein prioritizes the best way to contact users or otherwisereach someone whether using any number of various communication tools atany given moment. In an embodiment, prioritization occurs as a functionof whether or not a conversation is related to a task or is categorizedas a “no subject” field. If the conversation is being continued orinitiated and is related to a task, the present application may firstcheck whether or not the user is available “online.” For example, amessaging API integration from one or more 3rd party services may allowusers to be contacted whether or not they are physically using theproductivity network. If a user can be reached immediately via aparticular method, for example, the user is on-line and reachable viaSMS, e-mail, chat or similar medium then that method will have thehighest priority. If the user is not available on-line, attempts toreach the user using all methods possible in a chronological (or managerordered, or user-ordered) fashion. If, alternatively, the discussionrelates to a task, the present application checks the characterizationof the people involved in the task (see, for example, a discussion of aprioritization algorithm below) to decide which method is mostappropriate. For example, if one were trying to contact a person with“Executive” characterization, the method that would be chosen firstwould be one that is more formal in nature, if that user is not directlyonline. For example, the formal method may be VoIP audio call. Thefollowing is a standard priority of how a user may be reached: InstantMessage, SMS/MMS, Offline Message (can be bi-directional email) andaudio/video messaging. In an embodiment, if one method is unsuccessful,the next method is automatically selected, and the original method maybe erased.

In an embodiment as many data-events as possible from users' existingservices are imported to make a transition into a platform provided inaccordance with the teachings herein smooth and apparently seamless.Thus, in accordance with the present application, when a user providesaccess to their existing IMAP/POP or various other email, SMS andsimilar accounts, a method is provided for threading IMAP/POP and thevarious other services' transferred data-events. This may thread allpast e-mail conversations based off the origin of the message. Moreover,the origin may be a single person, a group of people, organization, orthe like. Further, existing e-mail subjects are preferably converted totopics, and users can then tag topics to a specific existing task orturn the subject of a past (most likely recent) e-mail into a new taskthat needs task-actions. The tools are then provided to complete thetask. If a past e-mail contains an attachment, the attachment ispreferably copied into the user's (users') document database for futureaccess.

Prioritization Algorithm

The platform provided in accordance with the teachings herein mayinclude a set of relational databases, as known in the art. Data-events,such as relating to users' conversations, events, and documents arestored therein and prioritized at the core level. The task manager mayprioritize when task-actions may need to be taken by analyzing a set ofdata-event points over time in combination with a taxonomy basedhierarchy. Furthermore, in some instances first and second derivativesof graphs are analyzed to determine the most efficient/effectiveprioritization/automation method.

With regard to an embodiment for prioritization in the context of timeintervals relating to a task, the following is examined: time spent onmessages of similar size (character amount); time spent on messages ofsimilar purpose (discussing a document for example); time spent ondocument creation in similar instances; time spent working on similartasks (characterized by matching keywords in the task description forexample) with similar or different users; time and distance betweenlocations (using traffic/mapping API's); efficiency of arrival at eventsusing mobile check-in technology; and time spent on similar task setsdepending on time of day and/or the day of the week.

The prioritization aspect may also perform a dynamic change in a user'sto-do list, depending on the type of device that the user is workingfrom. For example, there are some tasks that are more easily completedon a mobile device opposed to a desktop machine, and vice versa.

Prioritization of messaging may also occur in relation to thecharacterization of the user or group of users being messaged. Thischaracterization is preferably taxonomic in nature and may be fueled bya set of meta-tags that are assigned to a user. These meta-tags may bethe working position of that user. By doing this, messages that are fromexecutives, for example, are placed above that of co-worker, in anautomated fashion.

There is also an automation aspect to creating data-events. A lucene orsphinx or similar search, as known in the art, may be used for apredetermined set of subjects for the purposes of task-generations andAPI access. For example, terms that relate to a user wanting to set up acalendar date are viewed, and then recommended that this be scheduled ina user's to-do list. If the date is recognized to regard a lunchappointment for example, access is provided to an Open Table API sousers can make reservations directly.

With regard to document creation, a search algorithm may be provided forweb-based information databases, such as provided by WIKIPEDIA orWOLFRAM ALPHA, and that provides users with research related to thesubject of the task needing completion. Furthermore, users may drop agraphical screen control, such as a button, into a web browser toolbarto provide bookmarking for research, as well as to link directly to atask needing the assistance of information for completion.

Enterprise Security

One or more security requirements are provided, such as but not limitedto: SSO (Single sign-on); SSL/TSL Encryption; LDAP Integration(Lightweight Directory Access protocol)

24/7 support; up-time (e.g., 99.9%).

The productivity network according to the teachings affords advantagesprovided by an integrated system, which is unlike existing taskmanagement applications that provide a fragmented approach. Unlike knownsystems, a network of people are guided by the teachings herein as afunction of a set of tasks that are complemented by the tools forcompleting the tasks. In an embodiment, a tool relates, generally, to anapplication that produces a set of interactive or static data-event setsthat come together to create a focused database.

The integrated nature of the teachings herein caters towards databaseexpansion, such that 3^(rd) party developers are able to create fullyfunctional tools (including databases) that integrate with the platform.This represents a significant improvement over existing productivitysuites because the platform provides for integration of tasks that canbe prioritized, specifically for each user.

Moreover and unlike existing task management systems, the teachingsherein do not rely exclusively on a user to determine the priority ofhis/her tasks. The application provides a learning system that mayfrequently optimize particular tasks that a user needs to complete andwhen.

Furthermore, existing task management solutions, which may be standaloneor may exist within productivity suites, rely on the user to fill thedata-event sets (tools) with his/her relevant information. The presentapplication may import data from existing services, so the users canbegin improving productivity efficiency at the onset of their use of theapplication. Unlike known data importing applications, the presentapplication includes importing data-events from internet mail protocol(email), and when a user gives permission to access his/her existingemail server (service), all communication is sorted, for example,according to the sender and relevancy (date). Within thesesender-centric threaded conversations are subjects in existing emails,which become topics that users can convert to tasks, and which are thensupported by the respective databases (tool) that allow the user tocomplete each task. Moreover, one or more tools are preferably providedfor attachment(s) that require task-actions. For example, see FIG. 5.

Also and unlike known communication databases that exist either as astandalone service, or within a Productivity Suite or Web-basedplatform, the teachings herein integrate multiple communicationprotocols into a single chronological thread that is either linked to anindividual, a set of individuals, or a specific task. More specifically,conversations occurring on or as a function of the teachings herein canstart from and continue on one or more of the following: Internet MailProtocol, XMPP (Instant Message) protocol, Voice over Internet protocol,short messaging service, multimedia messaging service, videoconferencing, and standard cellular protocol and similar communicationmechanisms. For audio and video communication streams, speech-to-textrecognition and facial recognition may also be provided to help aid thelearning algorithm that prioritizes a user's to-do list.

Thus, many features and benefits are provided in accordance with thepresent application. In an embodiment, historical and substantiallyreal-time data-events may be imported, accessed or otherwise obtainedfrom one or more sources and protocols, such as IMAP, POP3, XMPP, SMS(Including History), MMS, Internet (e.g., Web) or Desktop-based VideoCalls, Cellular Calling Data-Events, Document Storage, Landline Audio,Productivity Suites, and Social Networking Data-Events, etc. through anApplication-Programming Interface (API). Moreover, data-events may beobtained through one or more suitable hardware devices, such as toprovide prompt and current access to Internet or desktop basedcommunication and collaboration data-events, including from legacyservices and sources. Such data-events may be provided and/or maintainedin a client-side environment and/or a server-side environment.

Moreover, legacy data-events that are hosted, for example, onthird-party servers may be accessible in response to securitycredentials received from a user. For example, once a user isauthenticated, use of a specific service's API or set of API's or othermeans of access to pre-existing data-events enables collection ofrelevant data-events for client-side user experience, in accordance withthe teachings herein. Imported data-events may be used, for example, fordetermining the strength of relationships between the user and his/hercontact list and/or to enable a prioritized response that takes accountof such relationship strengths. In an embodiment, such determination maybe made algorithmically and based on data-events collected from varioussources, including e-mail accounts, cell-phone accounts, or the like. Aranking process may occur based on the data-events, and a user may optto override default operations based on ranking, for example, byassigning higher or lower ranking values than those that may beotherwise derived algorithmically and/or automatically. By iteratingthrough a plurality of assessments, information processor 102effectively learns and improves the manner by which assessments andrankings occur. Thus the present application provides an advantage ofimmediately providing a positive experience (i.e., information processor102 does not have to “learn” from experience derived from the moment ofsubscription). In an embodiment, proxy values that may relate tohistorical data-events of a particular user are accessed and used togenerate starting values used for prioritizations for the particularuser. Examples of proxy values include: identification of a user; taskidentification; data/time of each task; calendar history(label/organization-method, task, date/time, personal or group (creatoror participant), individual or recurring); contact history, which mayinclude a relationship strength, frequency of contact, rate-of-change offrequency of contact, average time-lapsed prior to reply (speed ofreply), and rate-of-change of speed of reply, and may further include amedium: text (email, sms, mms, bbm, or xmpp) or call (audio or video).Examples of proxy values may also include: message character count,including for text-based posts and text from audio transcriptions (audioand video); semantic recognition of dates/times, locations, people,phone numbers mentioned, and tasks mentioned; document type; documentparticipants, including individual or group (user's relationship todocument (creator, editor, and/or viewers)); document revision history,including rate of change of page/paragraph/character count; addressinputs and geo-location tracking; and browsing history, including bydomain and date/time log.

Additionally, information processor 102 advantageously may operate as a“learning system.” For example, ranking values are periodically updatedas a function of information processor 102 employing one or morealgorithms. For example, a parent may consider a child, spouse orbusiness partner as a highest priority, and consider a friend as thesecond highest priority. Information processor 102 may be programmed andconfigured to determine such prioritized relationships automatically andinitially, or may learn such priorities over time.

In an example, two people collaborate on a particular task or set oftasks intensely for a finite period of time. During that time,information processor 102 recognizes that the strength of therelationship between them increases and is strong. Once the task or setof tasks is complete and contact between them is less frequent,information processor 102 recognizes that the relative strength of theirrelationship decreases. Therefore, in an embodiment, the frequency ofcontact is one factor (though preferably not the sole factor) used todetermine the strength of a relationship between two or more people.Another factor that may be used in making such determination mayinclude, for example, the amount of elapsed time from when a message(e-mail, voice message, missed call or the like) is received by a userto when the user responds or replies.

In an embodiment, access to legacy data-events that may be stored behindone or more firewalls are restricted to use of one or more desktopsoftware applications that provides VPN or SSO security credentials fromthe user. This enables a user to use a specific service's localized APIor set of API's and access data-events relevant for, for example, theclient-side user experience. Moreover, data-events collected on localmachines or firewall protected local networks may be sent to hostedservers via one or more desktop applications in order for thedata-events to be copied over to a user's Internet (e.g., web) account.The respective desktop application(s) may be installed by the user afterbeing instructed to do so, for example by information processor 102and/or the web service.

In an embodiment, an ability to import and optimize data-events fromlegacy services is provided to determine specific user-based tasks,including from the onset of using the one or more features provided inaccordance with the teachings herein.

Preferably, user data-events provided from one or more sources areimported and one or more numerical values are provided to at least someof the data-events and/or common sets of data-events for algorithmicranking Furthermore, a comparison of sets of data-events may be made toenable information processor 102 to determine optimal moments for one ormore tasks to be completed. As used herein, tasks are things that needto be completed by users. Optimization may occur, for example, followingan analysis of the number of tasks that a user has yet to complete, or arespective task that has not been completed. Certain end tasks or endgoals may be determined by information processor 102, for example, by amathematical analysis of legacy data-events. In addition or in thealternative, user may construct a set of tasks for information processor102 to optimize.

Additional functionality in accordance with the present application maybe provided for one or more computing devices, functions, interfaces,features, plug-ins, Internet-based devices, and/or peripherals. Forexample, data-events that are collected or otherwise obtained may be“pushed” for client-side processing substantially in real-time throughan internal set of application programming interfaces. Additionally,functionality provided in accordance with the present application may befor optimization. For example, data-events may be numerically sorted,compared, and ranked using a dedicated optimization algorithm running onhosted web servers and pushed for client-side processing substantiallyin real-time through one or more of an internal set of applicationprogramming interfaces.

The present application provides for optimizing tasks across a networkof any size, so as to improve the operating efficiency of the network.In organizations, the ability to optimize time allocation by multipleusers may be constrained not only by the complexity of finding anoptimal solution (which increases exponentially as the number of usersincreases), but also by the inevitability of constant updates. Theseupdates (e.g. changes or added inputs) often arrive at unpredictabletimes, for example because many users will generate different tasks(e.g. appointments, etc.) as they occur over the course of a work-day,or as they arrive from quasi-independent sources (e.g. missed phonecalls, new e-mails, texts etc). Each newly arrived data-event mayrequire re-initiation of a classic optimization algorithm, such as theone used for individual (i.e. consumer) users.

Constant re-initiations may require re-prioritization to reflect theobjective of the network, either individually or as a collectiveorganization. Such dynamic optimization presents a challenge even withcurrent computing resources. The present application answers thisproblem by creating a coordinated centralization structure with multiplelayers of groups, rolling up from an individual level to (possiblyoverlapping) sub-groups and finally to the grand organization. The noveldesign creates a pseudo-currency by means of which organizationalco-operation (between individuals and sub-groups) earns more credit ofsuch currency for the co-operating member (as does on-time taskcompletion). Thus users can “buy” or “sell” co-operation. Appropriateincentives are provided to steer individual and group tasks toward anorganization's priorities and objectives. These incentives include, butare not limited to, allocation and reward of currency (or chits) and asystem to evaluate performance. For example, one late task submissioncan be compensated by the co-operation in another task. Settingsufficient, but not excessive, liquidity, is an important task-action inaccordance with the teachings herein. Moreover, managers may be providedthe ability to add liquidity at local level, or to reprioritize workers'priorities (for a select period of time) using the currency allocationat his/her disposal. The present application provides direct measurementof individual productivity. Management is provided with a useful tool(for example, if assigned tasks consistently take longer than managementestimates, then it may mean that insufficient time for completion isbeing allocated by the manager in question). Managers are able to viewonly work-related tasks of individual users, so privacy is maintained.

As a consequence, workers have time allocation optimized for themselves,subject to organizational needs as well as each individual's ownprioritization of personal tasks. The algorithms may, for example, setup meetings based on availability of some invitees, automaticrescheduling of others, and requests for co-operation to the rest. Ifsome employees are crucial for a meeting, then times when they areavailable are selected. For example, each individual's decision to“spend” his/her currency is used for setting up a meeting. The amount ofcurrency allocated to a task (in this case, a meeting) reflects anindividual's prioritization of this task in optimizing his/her ownperformance metrics. This de-centralized coordination views anindividual's (or an agent) currency spent as a surrogate for his/herprioritization without having to know how an individual comes to thatdecision, thus bypassing the complexity of the optimization of a verycomplex system with many interacting components and constraints. Thepresent application also protects privacy of an individual, for example,by not having to know an individual's decision process, but only howmuch a person is committed to spend.

The present application addresses this problem by deriving individual orlocal (e.g., a very small group) optimization. In addition or in thealternative, a sort of pseudo-currency is provided wherein a form ofcredit is earned for network communications. Organizationalco-operation, for example, earns more credit of such currency for theco-operating member (as does on-time task completion). Thus users can“buy” or “sell” co-operation. Setting sufficient, but not excessive,liquidity, preferably managed by information processor 102. Managershave the ability to add liquidity at a local level, and/or toreprioritize workers' priorities. Information processor 102 may providea direct measurement of individual productivity. Management may beprovided with a useful tool (for example, if assigned tasks consistentlytake longer than management estimates, then it may mean thatinsufficient time for completion is being allocated by the manager inquestion). Managers will be able to view only work-related tasks ofindividual users, so privacy is maintained. As a consequence, workerswill have time allocation optimized for themselves, subject toorganizational needs. The algorithms will be able, for example, to setup meetings based on availability of some invitees, automaticrescheduling of others, and requests for co-operation to the rest. Ifsome employees are crucial for a meeting, then times that they areavailable will be selected.

The currency approach in accordance with the present application isnovel in at least two respects. Its formulation resolves very largeoptimization problem with many actors/participants and their individualpreferences as well as value trade-offs. Moreover, it coordinatesactions of an organization's many participants belonging to differenthierarchical levels, and it decentralizes a large organizationaloptimization problem into manageable components. The formulation allowsvarious degrees of autonomy at different level of an organization whilemaintaining its basic hierarchy. The top level of an organizationestablishes the reward structure, which propagates down the org-chart.The controlling element is the allocation of currency from top tobottom, with the lowest level being an individual. In an embodiment,each participant allocates his/her currency to “bid” for conveniencewhile optimizing his/her own performance. If a person should value hisown personal task at a particular point in time by using up a largeallocation of his currency, a schedule reflecting such priority may beprovided while taking into account the inputs from all participants.“Putting your money where your mouth is” provides the needed signal foran organization to prioritize tasks while maintaining privacy of anindividual. The central coordinator (or scheduler) does not need to knowthe details of an individual's constraints since preferences arecaptured in an individual's allocation of his/her currency consumption.A more advanced approach may allow the borrowing/lending of currencyamongst participants to reflect the urgency of time at any particularmoment. Another feature provided herein is the reward/award of currencyto reflect management control (analogous to the award of monetarybonuses) over its employees.

Use of a currency system to coordinate an organization is an iterativeand dynamic enterprise that regularly evolves. Tasks are completedand/or modified and new tasks are generated. The appropriate level ofre-optimization over time is a balance to achieve better optimizationand the feasibility of (timely) real-time feedback and decision making.The present application accurately reflects an organization's prioritywhile providing employees control and privacy over their own lives.

In an embodiment, a “to-do” list is provided that includes the mostpressing tasks (e.g., the seven most pressing tasks that must becompleted). A selectable option may be provided if a user wishes to viewan expanded list. The optimization algorithm orders the list. Tasks thatare completed are removed from the to-do list, and may be accessiblewithin a dedicated completed tasks section. When tasks are created, theoptimization algorithm adds them to the list. Users can add tasks to thelist, or they may be added indirectly. For example, in case of a missedcall, a task may be generated to return the call. Unanswered e-mails arealso tasks (e-mails that are opened and dismissed may be excluded). Bothof these are prioritized in part by the relationship strength.Relationship strength is derived by examination of the user's historywith the caller or sender of the e-mail, or by designation by the userof relationship strength. Prioritization is also determined by referenceto the user calendar. If a user uses more time for a task thanoriginally allocated, then some shorter tasks may be re-allocated beforethe next, but closer hard deadline task. As an example, if a user with alunch appointment task at noon finishes a task at 11:30, and cannotaccomplish a task of 45 minutes duration before lunch, then thealternative of starting the 45 minute task, or placing and completing 3calls on the task list may be provided that, based on past experiencewith the call recipients can be completed in the available time.Similarly, tasks may be reallocated if the user completes his/her tasksmore quickly than anticipated. As experience grows, estimates of timewill be refined to enable completion of particular kinds of tasks. Allof this is preferably reflected in the to-do list. A user can alsocomplete tasks out of the suggested order. Although sub-optimal in termsof time allocation, task completion is kept in consideration. Thiscomponent of the optimization system is local in nature, optimizing in asmall scale (both in terms of time and scope). For example, see FIGS. 3and 4.

Moreover, a list may be ordered, for example, via an optimizationalgorithm. As tasks are completed by users, those tasks are immediatelyremoved from the users' respective to-do lists. As users create tasks,for example, via a task-management software application, the tasks areadded to the users' respective to-do lists, for example, via anoptimization algorithm. In an embodiment, users may add tasks directlyto a to-do list, or tasks may be added to a to-do list via informationprocessor 102. In either case, the tasks are prioritized, at least inpart, via a respective relationship strength, which may be derived byexamination of a user's history with another person (e.g., a caller, orsender of an e-mail) or otherwise as designated by a respective user.Prioritization may also be determined by reference to a user's calendar.

Tasks may be allocated and reallocated according to one or moreconditions. For example, if a user uses more time per task thenoriginally allocated, tasks that may require a shorter amount of timemay be reallocated before a next deadline. For example, a user with alunch appointment task at noon finishes a task at 11:30 a.m., but cannotaccomplish a task requiring forty-five minutes prior to the lunchappointment. Information processor 102 may offer the user an alternativeof starting the forty-five-minute task at a different time, or may placeor complete three calls on a to-do list that, based on previousexperience with the callers, may be completed in the availablethirty-minute time period. Similarly, an information processor 102 mayre-allocate tasks in case a user completes his or her tasks more quicklythan originally anticipated. Information processor 102 uses data-eventsreceived in connection with the task-management to “learn” and refineestimates of time that may be required to complete a particular task orkind of task. Also in an embodiment, a user may perform tasks in anorder other than that proposed by information processor 102. This may besub-optimal, in terms of time allocation, however, information processor102 preferably acknowledges when tasks are completed and adjusts to-dolists accordingly.

Also in an embodiment, a to-do list is generated in accordance with anoptimization algorithm that is provided with one or more constraints.For example, calendar tasks (e.g., birthdays, meetings, doctorsappointments or the like) and tasks that may not be calendar-related,such as user-generated tasks (task-generations) added to a to-do list,missed telephone calls, unanswered e-mails or the like. This to-do listmay either require the allocation of available currency by the user or asuggested allocation amount (subject to all other competing tasks underthis user) may be suggested, based on learning. The learning algorithmtakes into account a user's prior behavior as well as performancefeedback from the global system.

In accordance with an embodiment, multiple or various APIs forconjunctive access/use and coordination of optimized tasks areintegrated in a to-list. For example, information that may be availablefrom the service via an API is used by information processor 102 indeveloping and/or maintaining a to-do list. For example, informationprocessor may recognize when a user picks up an iPad or a cell phonefrom his or her desk. Other examples may include how long it takes for auser to get to his or her car, or how long an elevator may take to getfrom one floor to another at different times of the day. Informationprocessor 102 may know a location of a restaurant at which a particularlunch appointment has been made and select a route with informationderived, for example, from GOOGLE MAPS via an API, and estimate the timeit may take to travel that distance via GOOGLE TRAFFIC, also via an API.Information processor 102 may also display a warning to the user, at aparticular time (e.g., five minutes prior to an estimated departuretime, and may provide a more urgent alert at the scheduled departuretime). When the user leaves his or her desk, for example, informationprocessor 102 recognizes that he/she is in motion, such as via GPSsignals from the user's cell phone, and controls or otherwise providesinformation via display screens on the user's iPad, smartphone or othermobile device until information processor 102 recognizes the user hasreturned to his or her desk. Information processor 102 preferably takesadvantage from a plurality of data-event sources via APIs, whichprovides significant opportunity to use information in real-time orsubstantially real-time for accomplishing tasks and allocating timeoptimally and/or efficiently. Thus, a conjunctive use and access andcoordination of tasks is provided by integrating multiple/various APIsand one or more data-event sources. In an embodiment, a to-do list isprovided that includes information integrated via multiple and/orvarious APIs for coordinating data-events and for optimizing tasks.Moreover, and as noted herein, information processor 102 preferably“learns” via past activity and improves ongoing optimization as afunction thereof. Available information (e.g., GPS, traffic, pendingtasks, time constraints, personal preferences, or the like) may beprovided, for example, by modern technologies.

In an embodiment, one or more task-based tool-kits are provided that areexpandable and/or customizable. As used herein, a tool-kit refers,generally, to a collection of programs that allow for task-actions andcontent production. For example, tool-kits may be provided for dedicatedcommunication streams and/or logs, video conferencing portals, documenteditors (e.g., Word documents, spreadsheets, presentation software,2D/3D image editors), map and location based software, internet webbrowsing applications and/or data-event monitoring. In an embodiment,information processor 102 and/or user workstation 104 displays anon-screen work space for executing one or more tasks by a computingdevice. For example, a user who needs to prepare a document or aspreadsheet uses a workspace in accordance with the teachings hereinthat includes standard office productivity software application(s). Inan embodiment, the majority of the display screen is occupied by theoffice software, with a margin or column located, such as on the lefthand side, to be dedicated to a to-do list. In an embodiment, anothermargin/column may be provided that is adjacent to the to-do list or maybe provided in some other area which may be used, for example, todisplay a contacts list, open conversations in a chat-relatedenvironment or other useful application. Information may be shared inone or more workspaces with other users for collaboration. Examples mayinclude collaborating on a document, spreadsheet, CAD/CAM or otherapplications. A user who is registered with information processor 102may invite another registered user to collaborate on one or more tasks,or a user may invite a non-registered user to collaborate, such as via aweb browser software application over the internet. Other functionalitythat may be provided includes video-conferencing, financial marketinformation or any other accessible data-event sources via one or moreAPIs, for example.

In addition to a to-do list that may be generated and/or managed inaccordance with the present application, a contacts list may also beprovided in one or more embodiments. For example, a list of all of theusers' contacts may be provided in order of relative importance at anygiven time, such as via a prioritization mechanism that is implementedin substantially real-time. The prioritization mechanism may account fora set of variables, which may combine to form a quantified relativeprogressive strength of one or more relationships in accordance witheach respective contact in a contact list. This may include, forexample, based upon a number of unread messages, a total of unreadmessages by the number of words, the average speed of reply to one ormore messages, the rate of change of speed of reply to one or moremessages, the quantity of contact made with a particular contact, a rateof change of quantity of contact made with one or more contacts, theduration or quantity of uploaded media sent to or received by arespective contact, a quantity of collaborative activities in connectionwith one or more contacts, and a user designated value representing aparticular relationship strength in connection with one or morecontacts.

In an embodiment, each contact associated with each user is assigned arelationship strength which is represented in an icon which may beformatted as a bar having a length that indicates the respectivestrength value associated with the relationship between the user and aparticular contact. When a user selects a contact from his or her list,for example, the bars are displayed to indicate the relative importance.Also in an embodiment, a conversation stream is provided whichrepresents a history of conversation both past and present that isdisplayed, for example, in a column that is provided adjacent to a listof contacts for a user. In this way, as the user selects a contact in acontact list, the conversation stream between the user and that selectedcontact automatically appears and is displayed to the user. In additionto managing information associated with contacts and tasks, one or moreportals may be provided that is preferably web-based and usable forintroduction, importing, and converting user-based data-eventinformation. When a user shares information via the present applicationwith a non-registered user, for example, for collaborative purposes, thenon-registered user receives an invitation to register with informationprocessor 102 and become a registered user. A non-registered userpreferably receives an on-screen invitation each time that usercollaborates with a registered user. As used herein, users may be“enterprise” users or “consumer” users. Enterprise users are identified,for example, via an e-mail address that includes a company name in thedomain, and/or uses a domain suffix such as .com, .org, .co or the like.Non-registered users who operate from an enterprise e-mail address ofthat sort, may also receive an enterprise invitation, which may beforwarded to management personnel within the respective enterpriseorganization.

In addition, a taxonomy is preferably generated by one or more processesassociated with information processor 102. For example, tasks associatedwith an organization and/or individual may be mapped across a timelineand a graph representing a hierarchical association of the tasks and maybe provided to denote a correlation of tasks and individual, groupand/or team involvement with tasks over time (i.e., the past, presentand future). Participants within an organization who may be associatedwith a respective task and in some cases individuals who are not, areassigned respective roles that are associated with a respective task.For example, individuals may be assigned roles such as primaryadministrator, administrator, editor, viewer and/or an owner of a task.Tasks and role assignments associated with users within an organizationmay determine the degree or how much of an organization's task taxonomymay be accessible and/or viewable to the user. For example, a chiefexecutive officer (“CEO”) may be assigned a role as a primaryadministrator for a task that he or she is leading directly. Other tasksthat may not be directly led by that CEO may be defined as anadministrator or an owner. In such case, the respective CEO is able toview and have access to all tasks within a respective task taxonomy. Inanother example, a department head, such as a director or a manager, maybe assigned as a primary administrator for tasks that he or she isdirectly leading, may be set as an administrator for certaindepartmental tasks or for some tasks that are outside his or herdepartment, but may be assigned a role as a viewer for tasks that areoutside of his or her department and an owner for tasks that are insidehis or her department. In that case, the department head may be able toview and access some tasks that are outside his or her department, butmay be able to view and have access to all tasks that are inside his ordepartment in accordance with the task taxonomy. The task taxonomy inaccordance with the present application may also provide visual cues foridentifying activity, referred to herein generally as “task traffic”within an organization. This may include displaying respective progressof tasks within an organization including the capability to determineareas of flow and stoppage and where persons and/or resources may needto be added and/or removed in respective tasks. Thus, a system todisplay monitoring of global progress within an organization isprovided.

In addition to task taxonomy, a form of a personnel taxonomy fororganizations or individuals may also be provided in accordance with thepresent application. This may include providing information that allowsa viewer to filter and/or orient a taxonomy structure to display a graphrepresenting participants which may be weighted by the sum of variablesrepresenting, for example, by the sum of task responsibility andprescribed task roles. For example, the CEO in the previous example maybe represented at a top of a personnel taxonomy and identifying thegreatest total responsibility as the owner of all tasks serving as aprimary contributing data-event point. As described herein, data-eventsmay be obtained from various sources via one or more APIs, for example,for travel-based information (e.g., mapping technology, airlinetracking, travel reservations and tracking or the like) in order toallow for coordinated tracking of travel across a respective geographyand over a period of time. In addition to travel and geography-basedtracking, billing and cost analysis may be provided, for example, tocoordinate tracking of travel and related expenses across a geographicand time-based taxonomy.

In an embodiment, support for quality assurance is included for users tosubmit and receive questions and answers associated with one or moretasks. In an embodiment, topics that are frequently discussed may beidentified and collected through an analysis of semantics and presentedto one or more users in a ranked format such as from highest priority tolowest priority. This ranking may be compared to tasks that are commonlytaken and to provide a further optimized support center. For example, onthe administrative side, user accounts may be taken over, for example,via screen sharing with permission from a user in order to receivepersonal guidance.

In addition, a downloadable desktop-based live-folder may be providedfor task-oriented organization. This may include change tracking or thelike. In this embodiment, users may be able to download a privatedesktop-based folder that operates with his or her to-do listsubstantially in real-time. The desktop-based folder may require a formof installation and thereafter authentication (e.g., username andpassword) for access and the folder may be organized such that each taskcoordinates with a respective folder for accessing and uploading filesand/or media associated with respective tasks. In an embodiment, openinga folder may identify a folder of each of the user's containers, whichmay include an all-encompassing collection of tasks (e.g., personal,organizational, or the like). In an embodiment, a container folder holdsa folder for each cabinet, which may be a clustering of tasks fororganization purposes, and each cabinet may include a folder for eachto-do list section (e.g., past, new, now, next, intent and objective).Moreover, each to-do list section that includes a folder for each taskor task group, with each task group potentially containing a folder foreach task, and each task folder containing files and/or media associatedwith that respective task. Preferably, only task and task group foldersprovide an ability to read and/or write content, and changes and updatesmade to content within a folder are recorded in the application andlogged in connection with the task-action history log(as mentionedherein) for any edits made to tasks as edited in real-time.

In an embodiment, a plurality of heuristic-based task templates areprovided for organizations and/or individuals and associated with one ormore databases. In this context, a task and/or task-group may include atemplate representing an order of operations for achieving an objectiveand that is cataloged in a heuristic database. For example, the databasemay include a collection of user-generated tasks and/or task-groups. Thedata may be compared and contrasted with similar tasks and theireffectiveness (measuring, for example, the time-spent, steps taken,and/or quantity of content produced), which may eventually provide atask catalogue of task templates. In an embodiment, task templates maybe organization-specific or available for all users. Alternatively, tasktemplates may offer additional or alternate options. Preferably, tasktemplates are alterable for customization purposes.

For example, see FIG. 6. Time is a factor for determining priority. Whentask due dates are set, an interval of time in between task due datesand the relation to the end goal may be factored. FIG. 6 includes linesthat connect circles, and the lines represent tasks. The circles andtheir respective labels represent people associated with the user andthe tasks that are to be completed.

In accordance with the shown in FIG. 6, organization-based tasks may beset manually by an administrator to be optimized, or data may beobtained from services to create tasks. Optimization of time occurs bydetermining how many tasks are not completed. This hold-up is referredto herein, generally as a “ripple effect,” which may result in a chainreaction (across a series of tasks) that occurs when a particulartask-action is not taken, resulting in delay of other tasks. Thegraphical lines illustrated in FIG. 6 are of different lengths, and arenot linear. Lines having a longer length may indicate a greater degreeof weight and possibly the ripple effect. A specific exponent of timemay be evaluated for an optimization of a task. If two tasks aredetermined to be of equal priority, such that they may take the sameamount of time to complete, may hold-up the same amount of followingtasks, and may have end goals of equal value, the optimization methodmay then evaluate relationship strength or other task valuedetermination factors to determine what task need be completed first torelieve the bottleneck and prevent a ripple effect. Series of tasks maybe determined from recurring data-events from legacy services that maybe received through communication and/or semantic analysis of keywordsthat promote task-generation.

The present application provides for quality assurance via asemantic-based content-crawling system that collects relevantinformation, data and/or research. Within a user's account, for example,common keywords in task-actions produced by the user are semanticallyrecognized and cross-compared with content and/or data-events fromother, potentially more reliable, web data-event sources that offer anAPI for access thereto. In an embodiment, a dedicated real-time pushcapability from one or more preset databases/archives is included todeliver relevant information to the user on demand.

In an embodiment, personal task-based data-events are monitored, andusers may view a visual reference, which changes substantially inreal-time, of their own task proficiency data. Task Proficiency Data mayinclude a collection of personal data-events that may be presented tothe user in the form of the graphs and other graphical representationsfor a variety of productivity and efficiency parameters (for example,quantity of tasks completed this week, rate of change for quantity oftasks completed over the course of a specified month or set of months,etc.) that provide a detailed overview of individual and collaborativeproficiency. For example, a set of visuals display numerical data thatare collected and represent a user in areas of productivity, theoptimization of the user's tasks over time, and different comparisonsand analyses may be provided to the user for self-analysis andencouraged improvement in the proficient completion of tasks.

Moreover, a personal data-event system may integrate multiple/variousAPI's for data coordination. Monitoring personal task-based data-eventsallows for additional API integration to satisfy more elaborate and/orspecialized tracking, such as a productivity-based geographical timelinefor monitoring travel, wherein data-events obtained from varioustravel-based APIs (e.g., GOOGLE MAPS, and various airline andreservation tracking sources) allow for coordinated tracking, such astravel, across a geographical and time-based productivity map/chart.

Tracking and comparisons of tasks versus time and financial data arefurther provided and may integrate multiple/various APIs for data-eventcoordination. For example, tasks with associated expenditures (plannedor past) may be tied to a ‘cabinet’ (i.e. label) in the form of afinancials meta-tag, for quick reference and organization, and financialdata-events that are recorded/tracked and utilized through theintegration of financial APIs (such as banking services, checkoutservices, financial planning services, tax services, financialrecord-keeping services, other financial services, RFID technology, orthe like) with the integration of one or more other business softwareAPI's, such as QUICKBOOKS, which provide, for example, for financialtracking, which can then integrate with a tax software API, for example,to coordinate tax planning and preparation.

Various functionality provided in accordance with the presentapplication is now further described.

In an embodiment, a continuous optimization of tasks is provided overtime, including within an open or closed network. Continuous or repeatedbackground iterations are performed associated with optimization. Astasks on a to-do list are completed, deferred, completed in part, orignored, or as new tasks are added, and/or as deadlines for some tasksdraw nearer, or new calendar items define tasks fixed in time, thepresent application re-allocates tasks and re-draws the to-do list tooptimize available time. For individual users, for example, optimizationis performed for user-related tasks, while enterprise-relatedoptimization is performed for enterprise users. Further, the presentapplication supports scheduling tasks for internet/web-based media. Richmedia and text-content may be separated from accessory items on webpages(e.g., menu-bars, advertisements, share buttons, or the like) and usersmay schedule a task for such an item (e.g., read a piece of writing, orwatch a video.) by selecting a ‘new task’ button, such as provided viabrowser-based extensions, and by choosing a date/time by when the userwould like to complete the task. The task is preferably then integratedinto the ‘next’ section of the user's to-do list.

The present application further supports assigning a respective intentfor task-actions with an internet/web-based item. Substantially asdescribed herein, users may schedule tasks for internet/web-based items.If the user schedules a task for an item, without specifying a date/timefor completion, the task may be added to a graphical panel provided withthe to-do list for tasks that are created without a specified start/enddate. Further, the present application supports collectinginternet/web-based media for task-oriented organization. In thisembodiment, rich media and text-content may be separated from accessoryitems on webpages (e.g., menu-bars, advertisements, and/or sharebuttons), and users may save rich media and text-content to specifictasks in their respective to-do lists by selecting a ‘collect’ button,which drops down to reveal a new-task/search-bar. The search bar mayenable the user to search for and locate existing tasks or create newones, and task sections (e.g., past, new, now, next, intended) andcabinets (e.g., meta-tag labels) are provided that reveal the taskswithin them. Selecting a task from a task section or a cabinet allowsthe user to then select one or more pieces of rich media and/ortext-content to save to the specified task, wherein the saved media/textappears in a media section for the specified task.

Moreover, a consolidation and/or integration of suitable communicationprotocols (such as email, xmpp, sms, VoIP, video calls—web/internet orcellular communication protocols) is provided in accordance with thepresent application. In an embodiment, paid or public access to acommunication service's APIs or specific protocols for obtainingdata-events, such as short codes, chronologically order allconversations between two users over time using a combination ofdata-events from widely used (including web-based) communicationprotocols and cellular protocols. Once a user grants the web serveraccess to their accounts for the aforementioned protocols, theconversations may be ordered in real-time on the server side, such asvia semantic recognition for dates, contact information, times or thelike. The data-events may then be pushed to the client applications,thereby providing a unified messaging system.

In an embodiment, a categorization of conversations as socialconversation tied to people (which may be devoid of tasks), ortask-related conversation that require follow through and furthertask-action is provided. Conversations, which may include e-mailexchanges, TWITTER direct messages, voice conversations, audio messages,video conferences, or the like may be categorized as either (a) social(which require no task-action on the part of participants) or (b) taskoriented. The latter category will cause identified tasks to begenerated and placed into the to-do list. Task-generations may be doneautomatically, through API application of text-to-semantic interpreter,and integrated into the to-do list, or through audio-to-text-to-semanticinterpreter, and integrated into the task list. The audio-to-text may beused for phone conversations, voice mails, the audio component ofvideoconferences or conversations, or other forms of audiocommunications.

Moreover, a real-time prioritization of incoming messages is preferablysupported, for example, by examining the relationship strength of theuser to the sender of the incoming message using legacy data-eventscollected by the service. From the onset of use, Authorized users mayprovide data-events. Various data-events are factored, including thesentiment and semantic analysis of conversation, rates of changeregarding conversations (e.g., speed of reply, and quantity of content),and the relevancy of the sender in relation to optimal prioritization ofthe users tasks determined by the optimization algorithm.

Further, the present application may provide prompts for instanttask-generation. In an embodiment, text entered, but not necessarilyselected, appears in the new-task/search-bar (described herein) andreal-time filtering is performed to recognize existing relevant tasks. Auser may select an existing task from the search results, create a newtask with specified what/who/when/where parameters (tasks without whenparameters are placed in the intent list), or instantly create a livetask (to commence immediately). Overtime, task topics (e.g., read,write, watch) that may occur frequently but have yet to be universallyimplemented as Task Presets, may become presets for the specific user.With entry of a recognized task topic, the relevant tools needed tocomplete the task may be pushed over to the client side user experiencesubstantially in real-time.

The present application supports digital versions of business cards.Referred to herein, generally as “contact cards,” users may beresponsible for the content of their contact card, or contactsrepresented by contact cards may be responsible for submittinginformation therein. After a user and contact have connected (e.g., haveestablished conversation) one or more prompts may be provided to sharecontact cards or engage in a task, through which sharing contact cardsmay be automatic. Contact Cards may be provided in a live contacts list,and updated substantially in real-time when a contact changes content onthe card.

In an embodiment, a division of tasks into time-frames (e.g., past, new,now, next) is supported. A to-do list may be divided into the varioustime-frames, such as past, new, now, next, and the intent panel(described herein). The past section may contain tasks that have beencompleted, the new section may display incoming tasks (in the form oftask invitations or text/audio/video messages), the now section mayinclude tasks that are ongoing, in-progress, or recently commenced, thenext section lists all remaining tasks, and the intent panel lists anytasks that are without a specified start and/or end date/time.

Moreover, tasks may be organized into individual tasks and task-groupsmay be supported. Tasks, of any kind, such as read, write, reply, or thelike, may exist as individual tasks or task-groups. Individual tasks arestandalone, while task-groups consist of a series of tasks that are tiedtogether and can be completed either sequentially, in parallel, or inany order. Tasks may be allocated to individual persons, or may beallocated to groups of people. When a user creates a new task, he/shecan invite others (including registered users and non-registered users)via contact selection that may include an ability to select a contactfrom one's contact list, email, and additional services (e.g., instantmessenger clients, FACEBOOK, SMS, or the like). Users within anorganization and individuals in some cases, may assign roles for taskparticipants, such as a primary administrator, administrators, editors,viewers, and owners. The primary administrator, which may be only oneperson having such a role, is typically the person who creates the taskand is granted the privileges of all the other roles and has solecontrol over the task's settings. Administrators, in contrast, inviteand/or assign participants to a task and have the ability to read/writeand converse. Editors may read and/or write and converse, and viewersmay read and converse. Owners may be assigned administrative-typeprivileges, but are typically less involved in the details of a task,and may be granted ownership rights more for taxonomic purposes (such asdescribed above with regard to system-generated task taxonomy).

When a user receives an invitation to a task, he/she may decline oraccept the task for integration into his/her to-do list. When a user isassigned a task role, the incoming task may appear momentarily in the‘new’ section of the user's to-do list (wherein the user can review theassignment, or the like), which is then integrated into the ‘next’section his/her to-do list for completing the task at a different,perhaps more optimal time.

In an embodiment, one or more extendable plug-ins are provided for taskoptions. Tasks may be displayed in formatted boxes, referred togenerally herein as “task boxes,” and displayed in a user's to-do list.The task box may include a directive for a task, such as read ‘x’, write‘y’, reply to ‘z’, or the like, and may include settings and/or valuesfor various types of information, such as an expected duration or startand end times and dates, a list of participants, a location, thecabinet(s) (where tasks may be clustered into one or more labels fororganizational purposes), as well as any task options (e.g., addparticipants, reschedule, push back, or the like), which may be extendedby plug-ins to offer more options.

As noted herein and in accordance with an embodiment, tasks that arecreated without a start and/or end date/time are temporarily containedin an intent panel, which may be formatted as a dedicated list of tasksthat are intended for to-do list integration at some point in the future(either short term, long term, or undefined). Tasks in the intent panelthat have a specified expected duration may be integrated into a to-dolist at any time with just a single click. Such one-click integrationoffers a choice of time placement when the user moves the mouse over thebutton for integration. For example, options may be displayed for ‘now’,‘today, soon’, ‘later today’, or ‘tomorrow’ as the user moves aselection device (e.g., the mouse) over a button for integration. Whenthe user selects the ‘now’ option, the task may be integrated into thenow section of the to-do list as a recently commenced, now in-progresstask. When the user selects the ‘today, soon’, ‘later today’, or‘tomorrow’ option, for example, the task may be integrated into the nextsection of the to-do list, to appear in the now section of the to-dolist sooner or later today, or tomorrow. If the tasks of the day arepressing, and an available timeframe cannot be found, a display may beprovided, referred generally herein as a “coordinator,” which may beformatted as a collaborative planning and conflict resolution window forediting constraints/overlaps, and that helps resolve the issue andreschedule the conflicts accordingly.

Moreover, tasks to be assigned to and performed by people within anorganization that are created without a start and/or end date/time aretemporarily contained in the objective panel, which may be formatted asa dedicated list of tasks that are intended for to-do list integrationat some point (either short term, long term, or undefined), but do nothave an assigned start and/or end date/time specification. In anembodiment, an “objective panel” is pertinent to organizations, while an“intent panel” is pertinent to individuals. Tasks in the objective panelwith a specified expected duration may be integrated into a to-do listat any time with just a single click. Such one-click integration offersa choice of time placement when the user moves the mouse over the buttonfor integration. For example, options for ‘now’, ‘today, soon’, ‘latertoday’, or ‘tomorrow’ as the user moves a selection device (e.g., themouse) over a button for integration. When the user selects the ‘now’option, the task may be integrated into the now section of the to-dolist as a recently commenced, now in-progress task. In an embodiment,when the user selects an option for ‘today, soon’, ‘later today’, or‘tomorrow, the task is integrated into the next section of the to-dolist, to appear in the now section of the to-do list sooner or latertoday, or tomorrow. In case the tasks of the day are pressing, and anavailable time-frame cannot be found, a collaborative planning andconflict resolution display window for editing constraints/overlaps whenpresent may appear to help resolve the issue and reschedule theconflicts accordingly. As used herein such display window may bereferred herein, generally, as a “coordinator.”

The present application further supports optimization of location-basedtasks. In an embodiment, such optimizations may be provided by means ofintegration of GPS signals, or other suitable services, such as GOOGLEMAPS. In an embodiment, access to web-based real-time traffic andlocation service data-events through an application programminginterface supports a determination of the relevancy of a user'srespective location in contrast to a future time interval that may bedependent on location-based conditions, such as access to roadways,methods of transportation, and the status of traffic. Furthermore,access to web-based GPS provided directions and traffic flow may allowfor optimizing the scheduling of location-based tasks between multipleusers substantially in real-time by comparing individual task scheduleswith location-based time data-events in order to determine and recommendto the user the optimal moment for task-action for a particular task.

Moreover, and substantially as described above, tracking and comparisonsof tasks versus time and financial data-events are further provided andmay integrate multiple/various APIs for data-event coordination. Taskswith associated expenditures (planned or past) may be tied to agraphical representation of a financials cabinet, which may be a form ofa labeling system of clustering tasks for organizational purposes,including tasks related to financials, for quick reference andorganization, and financial data-events may be recorded in a spreadsheetaction (e.g., track financial expenditures) dedicated to financialtracking. Further, financial data-events may be utilized by integratingfinancial APIs (such as provided by banking services, checkout services,financial planning services, tax services, financial record-keepingservices, other financial services or the like, as well as RFIDtechnology and other remote technology), with the integration of afinancial software application API, such as QUICKBOOKS, and financialdata-events gathered through tasks may be automatically collected andstored, which may be further integrated with one or more other softwareapplications, such as tax planning and form preparation software (e.g.,TURBOTAX) via one or more API's, for example, for further data-eventcoordination.

In addition to optimizing users' tasks substantially automatically overtime, the present application supports introducing a new user to thetask-oriented formats and interfaces, described herein, including forproviding a to-do list. A new user may be prompted to select andcomplete preset tasks, such as read ‘x’, watch ‘y’, complete ‘z’, thatserve to introduce the new user to features, or new features to users ofthe present application. As a result, as the user is introduced to theteachings herein an optimized to-do list may be developed.

As noted herein, the present application supports a comparison ofsemantic-based depth and/or strength of sentiment versus depth/length ofcommunication and over time. Preferably, access to external semantic andsentiment recognition services through an API allows for examination ofthe respective emotion and content of a conversation over time throughconstant real-time access of the service. In an embodiment, emotion isdesignated a numerical value and is compared to a static chart thatallows the numerical value to be given a sentimental label. Semanticrecognition allows for a determination of measurable values, such asconversation length and quantity of relevant topics. Comparing semanticsand emotion over time aids in determining a user's expected responsetime to an unread or legacy message.

A discussion regarding a graphical user interface in accordance with anembodiment is now provided.

In an embodiment, a live task-timeline user interface is provided thatincludes at least one graphical line that extends across the pagehorizontally. The line provides an ability to scroll horizontally to theleft or right, and zoom-in or zoom-out, using a custom horizontalscroll-bar with zoom-in/out navigation. Further, along the bottom-edgeof the graphical line is a timeline by which linear time may bemeasured. When this view is engaged, the current time may be displayed,such as in the center of the screen, with the past represented on theleft and the future to the right. Along the top-edge of the graphicalline may be a task-timeline that displays the duration of tasks(completed, in-progress, recently commenced, planned/next) incoordination with the linear timeline, with start and end dates markedalong the graphical line and connected to represent the duration, orlife-span, of the task. The user may scroll to the right to view next(upcoming/planned) tasks and to the left to view past tasks (completed).Intended tasks (planned, without scheduled start and/or end date/time)and suspended tasks (tasks commenced, but paused) may appear outlinedabove the timeline and may be selected, dragged, and dropped into aspace on the task-timeline for integration at the specified point—ifthere is a conflict with the area selected, the coordinator (as notedherein, a collaborative planning and conflict resolution window forediting constraints/overlaps) may appear to help resolve the issue andreschedule the conflicts accordingly.

In an embodiment, a task timeline may be provided in alternate view thatis a cyclical model for viewing time, such as a twelve month calendaroriented in a circle. Durations of tasks (e.g., tasks that arecompleted, in-progress, recently commenced, planned/next) may beoutlined. In an embodiment, a circular scrolling option is provided withan ability to zoom-in/out, which allows the user to zoom in from a year(many months) to a month, and a month (many days) to a day, and a day(many hours) to an hour, as well as in the reverse (i.e., to zoom-out).Intended tasks (planned, without scheduled start/end date/time) andsuspended tasks (tasks commenced, but paused) may appear outlinedoutside the circular timeline and may be selected, dragged, and droppedinto a space on a task-timeline for integration at the specified point.In case there is a conflict with the area selected, the coordinator (asdescribed herein) may appear to help resolve the issue and reschedulethe conflicts accordingly.

Moreover, a substantially real-time stream of data that may be formattedas a list-based user interface is provided. For example, a web-basedapplication is provided that is divided into a set/series of columns(vertical boxes) that function as lists (e.g., static/stationary seriesof items displayed sequentially in a vertical fashion) or streams (e.g.,dynamic/moving series of items displayed sequentially in a verticalfashion). See for example, FIGS. 3-5. These provide structure foruser-generated content. For example, columns are provided that include alive contacts list, conversation streams (e.g., conversation history,past and present), and the to-do list. The interface layout ispreferably provided consistently for a plurality of various devices,including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. As thelist/stream format is maintained, the number of columns visible at anymoment may increase or decrease to accommodate a size of a respectivedisplay.

In an embodiment, common task topics (e.g., read, write, watch, or thelike.) may appear as clickable-icons (for visual reference) along thenew-task-bar (of horizontal orientation, with a field for text-entryadjacent a list of tasks icons, which may exist as clickable buttonsthat trigger preset tasks), so as to ease task creation for the user andoptimization. The order of the icons may be prioritized for each userfor ease of access by examining the rate of each task topic selection.The interface may further allow for vertical scrolling within columns,and horizontal scrolling between columns, with actionable items (e.g.,elements for selection, some of which enable areas for contentproduction, such as a post box, search bar, or the like) that areavailable throughout. The interface may also allow a user to navigateusing arrow keys for vertical navigation within columns, and horizontalnavigation in transitioning between selected columns, as well as anability to ‘tab’ between actionable items. Further, a user may use arrowkeys to select items from dropdown-lists, as well as designated keyboardshortcuts. Selecting an area for content production (e.g., post box,search bar, or the like) permits the entry of text in the selected area,with the ability to submit the text-entered with the use of a designatedkeyboard shortcut.

Further, areas may be provided for producing and reviewing content. Someareas of production include the new-action/search bar, post box, andvarious sections of the tool-kit (document editor, discussion post box,group notepad). Review areas may include conversation streams(conversation history, past and present) and the commentary (a newsreader for articles, blog-posts, and other feeds). In an embodiment,areas of production may be visually distinct from areas of review, forexample, via color coordination (production sections may appear white,while areas of consumption may appear considerably off-white), so theuser may easily instantly differentiate use for any given section.

In an embodiment, when a user navigates through the interface, he/shemakes selections, such as search inquiries, task-generations, contentproduction and review (i.e. task-actions), or the like. Such task-actionactivity (selections, processes, content production, or the like.) ispreferably tracked for personal/private reference, and recorded in ahistory, which may be formatted as a dedicated list for keeping recordof user-related activity. The history log may be user-centric(pertaining only to users, individually), and task-actions may beselected from the list to be reviewed and/or deleted (individually orcollectively), and users may also submit task-actions ortask-generations, such as to the support team or help forum forquestions or help.

In an embodiment, a document editor with document timelines is provided,which may include a revision-scrolling-mechanism for history, with usercontributions highlighted/crossed-out/dated. Documents may be pairedwith a document timeline, which may include a vertical scrolling systemthat allows the user to scroll through all changes made to the documentover time. The document timeline preferably works similarly to the“dialog” (as described herein), and is specific to document editing.Drafts are preferably marked along the timeline for quick reference(icons that are automatically placed at points on the document timelineto indicate a new draft. This designates points in time when thedocument was opened for additional editing, or manually marked to starta new draft, such as by selecting a “New Draft” button). Documenttimelines may offer two views, which may be selected via radio buttonsor another graphical control. One may be a standard editing view wherechanges are made without identification (additions, changes, anddeletions are not marked on the page, and new content simply adds to,replaces, or removes the old content, respectively). The other may be amarked editing view, in which changes are continuously identifiedthrough revision marks: additions appear in a different color for eachnew draft, changes appear highlighted with the replaced contentcrossed-out and dated with the written date (the date that the nowcrossed-out writing was originally added), and deletions appearcrossed-out. Users may also select between the standard and marked viewwhen scrolling through the history of the document using the documenttimeline (or through the evolution playback button—see below, documentevolution playback).

Moreover, a substantially real-time collaborative document editor withdocument timelines may be provided. In an embodiment, arevision-scrolling-mechanism for history, with user contributionshighlighted, crossed-out and/or dated is provided.

Multi-user collaboration may also be made available through the documenteditor. Multiple users may edit the same document simultaneously byviewing the document editor for the same task at the same time. A“co-marked” view indicating multi-user editing and document changes areperiodically identified through revision marks. For example, changesappear in one or more different colors for each respective user.Underlines and cross-outs may be provided, as well as respective datesand names of the users who make edits.

Furthermore, a clock-like interface may be included that displaysmeasurements of time (integrated with upcoming tasks, and displayingintended tasks for drag and drop integration). For example, a view maybe provided for measuring/acknowledging the relationship between auser's tasks and time.

As the amount of time available for tasks on the to-do list isdetermined to be pushing the limits of time available that will elapseby to-do-list deadlines and limits, visual warnings may be sent to theuser, in one of several forms. For example, a message may travel acrossthe screen of the user at fixed (and selectable) intervals, orbackground colors may change, or font colors on the to-do list maychange or flash, thereby providing additional alerts.

A discussion regarding features provided in accordance with theteachings herein is now provided.

When incoming tasks are received, such as task invitations (e.g.incoming calls or messages), they may appear in a ‘new’ section of theto-do list (such as described above with regard to dividing tasks intotime-frames). The user may be provided with a limited amount of time toact (e.g., view, accept, reject, or the like) on any incoming tasks, anda progress bar may be displayed that represents how much time remainsbefore the task is automatically prioritized/integrated into the ‘next’section of the to-do list. A user may select a ‘recently prioritizedtasks log’ (available anytime) to view a history of automated taskprioritizations, which ensures that the user is continually aware ofincoming tasks that have been prioritized.

In an embodiment, when a task participant (an individual tied to a task,or a group/multiple individuals collaborating on a task) adds newcontent to a task tool-kit (e.g., discussion posts, documents edits,research/information collection, or the like), other participantsrelated to that task are notified of the update(s) via the ‘task updateslog’. For example, a live (substantially real-time update) history ofchanges/updates made by other participants within collaborative tasks.The user who has been updated may then select an option to open a taskupdates log, available anytime, to view a history of changes/updatesmade by other participants of any/all collaborative tasks (performed bymultiple users as part of a group). In this way, the user is aware ofupdates/changes that are being made to tasks that he/she participatesin. The changes/updates recorded in the task updates log may providedetails regarding the change/update, and the user may select thechange/update to be redirected to the toolkit of that task to view thechange/update at the precise location the toolkit. Further, the log ispreferably organized chronologically, although users may switch filtersto view the log oriented in other ways, such as by prioritized task,wherein the tasks with the highest priority appear at the top of thelog.

Moreover, scheduled tasks preferably display a real-time depleting timeprogress bar in coordination with the time remaining to complete thetask. Using time-based data-events received from the client side and a“ripple effect” analysis determined by the server-side task optimizationalgorithm, task priorities may be further expanded and demarcated, suchas by coloring tasks according to their respective priorities. Anadministrator or manager may set organization-based tasks manually, ormay manually override a subordinate's organization-based to-do list, andimporting data-events from services may also create Tasks. Optimizationof time may occur by determining how many tasks are held up by notcompleting a task at hand, in the pursuit of an end goal.

This hold-up is called the “Ripple Effect”, which is a chain reaction(across a series of tasks) that will occur if task-action is not takenon a task that need be completed for task-action to be taken on a tasklater in the series (such that what may seem to be a trivial,unimportant task such as answering a text message for example, may beresponsible for holding-up a document that follows in the series oftasks). When optimization initially determines that two tasks are ofequal priority, such that they may take the same amount of time tocomplete, may hold-up the same amount of following tasks, and may haveend goals of equal value, the optimization method may then evaluaterelationship strength or other task value determination factors todetermine what task need be completed first to relieve the bottleneckand prevent a ripple effect. Series of tasks may be determined fromrecurring data-events from legacy services that may be received throughcommunication and/or semantic analysis of keywords that promotetask-generation. The client-side user experience may include a real-timeshade change of color as a task becomes of higher priority. Overtime,task efficiency data coloring may slightly change, in order to determinethe optimal color priority scheme for an individual user.

In an embodiment, unread messages are preferably distinguished from readmessages with a visual cue: unread messages may appear ‘highlighted’(for example, an emphasized, brightened border, and with slightlymarked-up text (bold and/or italicized)). A user may mark unreadmessages as read, simply by clicking on the text of the message or thehighlighted-frame/border, which will remove the highlighting and markup,thus designating the message as read. Users may further have an abilityto share ongoing or upcoming tasks to a user or group of users, with thechoice to offer opt-in task participation to those whom the user hasshared the task with. After the initial user chooses to share a task byclicking a relevant button, he/she may be prompted to choose from a listof prioritized contacts and groups (e.g., user-defined groups ofcontacts) to achieve a more personal experience. Similarly, the user mayshare tasks via outgoing messages sent via the protocols connected bythe user over time, such as via e-mail, SMS or other suitable protocol.

In an embodiment, the to-do list is preferably divided into time-frames(past, recently ended, new, now, and next) and would requireconsiderable scrolling when browsing through past and future (next)tasks as time progresses. In an embodiment, a ‘dialog’ interface isprovided, which represents a unique scrolling interface, which makes iteasy to scroll through short and long-term history (past and future)with a multi-directional scrolling mechanism. As standard, the user mayscroll vertically through the list to browse, but the dialog interfacemay also enable the user to scroll horizontally within a section. Whenthe user begins scrolling horizontally, a miniature timeline may appearhorizontally-adjacent to the scroll-bar of the respective section,offering time-frames of years/months/dates for selection, so as to jumpto the designated time-frame, at which point the user may continue toscroll vertically through the tasks listed (with date and hour markerslisted for reference). The user may continually switch between verticaland horizontal scrolling, browsing through tasks linearly, or may jumpto a specific year/date and then continue to browse in a linear fashion.The dialog interface is also present for other sections, such asconversations, documents, activity history or the like.

In an embodiment, real-time automated presence/change-detectedtime-tracking for tasks is provided. Tasks listed in the now section(ongoing, in-progress, and recently commenced) of the to-do list aretime-tracked (time-spent is measured, catalogued, and displayed to theuser) by recording how much time the user spends performing task-actions(e.g. viewing or contributing content) within a task's tool-kit. A usermay also select from a variety of preset task-actions tied to every task(examples may include the ability to push forward (set to completesooner), push back (set to complete later), adjust the start and/or enddate and/or time, adjust the duration length (how long the task is setto last), invite participants (for personal tasks), assign participants(for organization-based tasks), remove participants, mark the taskcomplete, edit the task, delete the task, leave the task (as aparticipant), and schedule to complete later at an unspecified date ortime).

Further, task integration for real time semantic-based reservations,such as for restaurants, flights, or the like is provided. The inclusionof semantic interpretation provides for recognition of a need for a taskand to execute the task-actions, if such task-actions are executable byAPI. For example, if a user in a conversation with another person (e.g.,via telephone, text, e-mail or the like) suggests a lunch meeting thefollowing Tuesday, then using first eithertext-to-semantic-interpretation to task-generation, oraudio-to-text-to-semantic-interpretation to task-action via an API, oneor more restaurants close to both speakers or close to where the user isexpected to be at the time immediately before or after (by reference tothe to-do list and calendar) are suggested. Other determining featuresmay include the two speakers' collective preference, as determined byhistorical reference, or as a result of a questionnaire in which theuser may confirm preferences suggested by the application. Restaurantsuggestions may be made in accordance with other variables, such asunder constraints of estimated travel times and traffic conditions, suchas using data-events from GOOGLE TRAFFIC and GOOGLE MAPS. The user maythen confirm time and place, and the reservation may be made via APIconnected directly to the web-site of the selected restaurant or arestaurant reservation provider. Further preferences of users andcontacts, such as dietary requirements and other pertinent details, maybe tracked. Other travel-related or entertainment related application ofthis capability is expandable as other data-events are received andanalyzed.

In an embodiment, numbered/bullet/hierarchical lists are available indocument editors and other programs, which provide a method oforganization for written content. Items may be selected to collapse(hide from view, and selected again to reveal the sub-items. Moreover,through the integration of an audio transcription API and semanticinterpreter API, audio/video calls/messages may be interpreted topresent the user with a transcript of the audio/video call andtask-generations interpreted from the transcription text or text-basedmessage. Further, semantically interpreted task-generations fromaudio/video calls/messages are provided, such as for confirmation-basedand instant integration.

In addition to username and password authorization, the presentapplication supports a facial-recognition API (e.g., Face) to enablelogged-in users to register their faces for identification purposes.Users' facial identities may be incorporated into a login page, in whicha user may opt-in to have his/her face recognized so as to displayhis/her username and requiring only a password to login. Occasionalsecurity confirmation efforts (e.g., presenting security questions to beanswered) may further be made for identity verification purposes.

Moreover, semantic and keyword-recognition via third party services maybe integrated via an API for filtering existing or new content incomparison to user relevance, substantially in real-time, in order todisplay existing data-events relevant to the user in the quickest mannerpossible. This aids the creation of new content or task-generations dueto the speed at which the user can determine the pertinence of theirkeyword inquiry.

The present application further provides an ability to quick-reply,preferably without opening/viewing the conversation/discussion. Forexample, the live contacts list (as described herein above) offers anability to quickly reply to unread messages. In an embodiment, the livecontacts list displays contacts' avatars, online status (e.g., online,idle, offline), and unread message count (if any) by default, althoughthe user may move his/her mouse over a contact to view more information.For example, information regarding task status (latest publishedtask(s)), unread message preview, relationship strength bar (a visualrepresentation of contact prioritization), or the like may be displayedto the user. Also in an embodiment, if a user moves his/her mouse over acontact, and then moves his/her mouse over an unread message preview,he/she can click a ‘Quick Reply’ button that allows the user to view theunread message in a small pop-up window, compose a reply in the post boxof the same pop-up window, and send the message by clicking the ‘send’button within the pop-up window.

The present application further provides an ability to forwardperson-based conversation messages (audio/video/text) to task-baseddiscussions. Along with an ability to forward a person-to-person-basedmessage to another contact through a forwarding button that appearsadjacent each message when the user moves his/her mouse over a message,wherein person-to-person-based messages may be forwarded to a task ormultiple tasks by selecting the forward button and choosing ‘task’instead of ‘contact.’ After selecting ‘task’ from the button, aNew-Task/Search bar may appear for a user to search for a task, orcreate a new task (task-generation), to forward the message.

Further, the present application may provide a visual prioritized andchronological logging for media uploads. A section may be provided fordisplay of a personalized real-time visual feed of rich mediadata-events, including, but not limited to: audio, video, imagery,documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and embedded links that may beuploaded by a user or imported by the service. The feed may be availablein a few sorting forms, for example: prioritized (using an optimizationalgorithm) or chronological.

Further, the document editor in the tool-kit may include one or moreoptions to allow the user to track the evolution of documents over time,quickly access drafts, and watch a playback of the document's evolution.In an embodiment, documents are paired with a document timeline, whichmay provide for vertical or horizontal scrolling (depending, forexample, on the orientation of the document timeline) through allchanges made to a document over time. Also provided with the documenttimelines may be draft markers, such as icons, that are automaticallyplaced at points on the document timeline to indicate a new draft orrevisions to a draft. Draft markers may be manually marked to start anew draft, such as by a user clicking a ‘New Draft’ button. Moreover, auser may select a draft marker from a document timeline to view contentof the document as it existed at that time, before additional editingcommenced for the session that followed. Document timelines may alsoinclude a playback button that allows users to instantly watch ananimation of the evolution of the document, from the point specified (byclicking a place along the document timeline), up to the currentversion.

The present application further provides an ability to one-click switchbetween moving and stationary streaming. Live content streams (e.g.,conversations, discussions) usually move as new data-events arepublished (new posts in a conversation/discussion), but are sometimesstationary and require the user to scroll up or down (depending onorientation formatting) to view new posts as the posts appear. Users maybe allowed to choose between the two display methods by selecting ordeselecting a ‘Moving Stream’ checkbox at the bottom of the stream. Inan embodiment and when selected, the stream moves with new posts, andwhen deselected, the stream remains stationary even as new posts appear,thus requiring the user to scroll manually to view the new posts. Thepresent application may further provide an ability to add/remove a pin(i.e. a visual image of a pin or similar graphical means of markingcontent—referred to throughout as “pin”) to/from a message (with orwithout inclusive notes). In this embodiment, conversation/discussionmessages are paired with options, such as an ability to mark the messageto reply later, forward the message, add notes to the message and createa task (task-generation) from the message. One option, for example,‘Place a Pin’, provides one or more controls to allow a user to add amarker to a message, which may then appear along the dialog (asdescribed herein). Further, conversation/discussion messages, incoordination with the location of the pinned message(s), may beautomatically outlined in a color that matches the pin. Message pinsalso include a small button, which, when selected, opens a small notefield where the user can compose a quick note-to-self for laterreference. To delete a message pin, a user may simply click the pin anddrag it off the conversation/discussion dialog, from which it willdisappear.

Further, the present application supports geographical task-pin mapping,from an API provider, such as GOOGLE MAPS, which allows the user topinpoint locations by clicking a button, such as labeled ‘Pins On,’ thatactivates and deactivates an ability to drop and remove task-pins onlocations by clicking and double-clicking, respectively. Dropping atask-pin on a location allows the user to intend a task, for example, toadd to the intent panel or to-do list, by specifying task parameters,such as what, where, who, when, related to what, involving the selectedlocation. When a specified task is completed, the location where thetask-pin appeared on the map will be replaced by a past-task-pin, fromwhich the user can view any task-actions from the tool-kit associatedwith that task, such as collected information, uploaded images andcommunication.

The present application further supports providing activity timelinesfor public contributions. Public contributions, which may includecollective user-generated content, may appear in three prominent places:a commentary section (e.g., a news reader for aggregating articles,blog-posts, feeds, and more published content from across the web), aquestions section (e.g., a question forum for asking and answeringquestions in a forum-like format), and a contributions section (e.g., ahelp forum for asking and answering questions related to the system forhelp and support in a forum-like format). Users' activity in thesesections may be measured and displayed along a timeline (where markers(icons) appear along the timeline at points in time where (a) user(s)generated data-events) on every relevant page.

Further, task-based music playlist creation, automation and crossservices integration may be provided. For example, music-related APIs(e.g., via ITUNES MATCH, PANDORA, SPOTIFY) may be integrated such thatusers can add music tasks (play album ‘x’, song ‘y’, artist ‘z’) andplaylists (listen to playlist ‘x’, including with an ability to selectcontent for new playlists), from individual services and combinations ofservices, to their to-do list. In an embodiment, when a task/playlist iscreated, the user may designate that the task/playlist beginimmediately, or a start-time may be selected and the specified musicwill play at the designated time, such that the task commences in the‘now’ section of the to-do list.

In addition to music, film and television, and literature viewing issupported, such as via film, television, and literature-related APIs(e.g., via NETFLIX, HULU, AMAZON, or the like) for enabling users to addmedia tasks (play movie ‘w’, television show ‘x’, read book ‘y’,magazine ‘z’) to their to-do list. In an embodiment, when a ‘watch’ taskis created, the user may designate that the task begin immediately, or astart-time may be selected and a specified movie/television show playsat the designated time, such that the task commences in the ‘now’section of the to-do list. Further, reading tasks, for example, may bescheduled for incremental completion through a task cycle (a task thatis repeated or continued at specified time-intervals until stopped orcompleted). One-click paid access may also be made available foraccessing paid content from certain services, including through instantviewing (live streaming), and through instant access (immediate downloadto the system, wherein the content is made available for access in theuser's ‘collection’ section—a dedicated entertainment section, with an‘available content’ browsing section.

Additionally, users may be provided with options to choose to set a timeinterval aside to consume rich media (e.g., movies/videos, music,articles, or the like), and the service will use the optimizationalgorithm powering the prioritization and scheduling of task-based timeintervals to choose the optimal time for the user to consume therich-media of choice.

Further, task-based scheduling for meetings, including in-person, oronline via an integrated system, may be provided. Users may be providedwith options to set a time interval aside to conduct a meeting with anindividual or group of individuals, and to use the optimizationalgorithm powering the prioritization and scheduling of task-based timeintervals to choose the optimal time for the users to conduct theirmeeting. Meetings may be defined at any pre-set time interval wherethere is discussion regarding one or more tasks. Such a discussion mayoccur via text, audio, video conferencing or other suitable form. As auser decides to schedule a meeting, communication media preference anddevice availability are preferably factored for the user and theparticipant(s).

A discussion regarding plug-ins and external hardware/softwarecomponents is now provided.

In an embodiment, an automated task-based plug-in may be introduced tothe System for a variety of purposes, for example, ‘curated searching’may provide users with a report-like aggregation of data/info cataloguedfrom a variety of relevant sources determined through semantic analysisof the search input and web-search crawling. In an embodiment, a curatedsearch plug-in may be made available for researching domainavailability, as provided by aggregating and cataloging data fromvarious domain-related services. For example, a plug-in is provided thata user can select, for example, from the new-task/search bar todetermine the availability of a domain name. In an embodiment, a usermay select an icon labeled ‘Domain Check’ from the new-task-bar, to thenenter the potential domain name in the specified box, or type the task‘domain check’ in the new-task/search bar followed by the potentialdomain name. Once catalogued, a search that generates a list ofaggregated results is displayed in a report-like format that providesresults from checking multiple extensions, such as ‘.com’, ‘.co’,‘.nef’, or the like. Moreover, a URL-based search may be performed toidentify associated pages, corresponding registrars, “WHO-IS” records,such as for DNS and ownership data, Trademark Office registeredtrademark information, search engine optimization data, and/or popularservice usernames (to pull associated usernames from a variety of publicservices, such as from FACEBOOK, TWITTER, GOOGLE+. In an embodiment, anoption to one-click purchase (when available) a domain(s) through theuser's choice registrar (presented through an aggregation of APIintegrations, for example), or an option to place a purchase-inquiry toconnect to owner to deliver a direct offer through the system via adirect offer task.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example hardware arrangement, in accordancewith an embodiment.

In an embodiment, an input-output device for optimal voice protocolselections and backwards compatible voice devices may be provided. Forexample, a mobile device examines cellular quality by analyzingreception bars and supplementary information provided by data-events.These data-events may be converted in order to analyze voice quality.Cellular data-events may be accessed via native API's or through shortcode carrier functionality access. Further, data-events and voicequality of the cellular services is monitored and compared to the VoIPquality (accessed through API's) and the proper protocol pertinent tovoice quality is chosen when a user makes call from his/her mobiledevice. In an embodiment, a hardware module that supports a standardCAT-5 and/or a RJ-45 phone line connection is provided for a landline.Further, Ethernet/LAN connection, Wi-Fi support, and a USB 3.0 orThunderbolt I/O or equivalent audio/data-event transfer and powercharging cord that will connect to a computer-based peripheral devicemay be provided. Thereafter, a similar (or same) comparison algorithmmay be provided for users working on a web browser running on a desktopor laptop that is connected to the landline module via the USB 3.0 orThunderbolt I/O or equivalent data connection. Such a module allowsusers on the desktop or laptop not only to integrate data-eventscontained within landline calls into their browser-based application,but also to use the landline when optimal, based off of the comparisonalgorithm against VoIP protocols, for voice-based calls from the webbrowser where quality of connection and/or comfort of legacy handsets isideal. Moreover, splitters (as shown in FIG. 8) may be employed forisolators (either optical or electronic) to preclude micro-currentfeedback to the telephony System. There may be two types of splitter:(a) a splitter that is interposed between the receiver/headset of auser, and the telephone, and (b) a splitter that is interposed betweenthe telephone and the enterprise telephony system. Audio signals may beobtained via a direct connection from the splitter to a USB orThunderbolt I/O or equivalent socket, to enable voice-to-texttranslation and semantic interpretation through the browser-basedapplication. Recording capability may further be built into thesplitter.

Additionally, a wireless charging cube with near field communication forelectrical energy signal detection for device status data-eventcollection may further be provided. Moreover, an output device thatdelivers a wireless charge to removable nodes that input intovarious/multiple devices may further be provided. In addition, awireless display cube may be provided that includes an output devicethat relays display information to a removable node-input that attachesto a peripheral display for wireless display purposes. Further, aconference cube that includes a wireless headphone/speakerphone splitterfor conference call integration with recording functionality may beprovided. This cube may utilize Wi-Fi, audio playback via speakers,audio recording via microphone, and wireless charging. Alternatively (orin addition), near field communication enabled adhesive sensors/labelsfor analog item-based and/or location-based tasks (for individual orgroup access).

FIGS. 9A-9H are flowcharts that, when combined, illustrate example stepsassociated with an optimization algorithm in accordance with anembodiment. The steps associated with the example flowcharts 9A-9Hprovide a user with a prioritized list of tasks to be completed. Factorscontribute to a “Factor Culmination” that represents the respectiveparameters, and which are provided respective ‘X’ values. The determinedvalue of a task is then measured against other tasks associated with auser, to generate prioritization by which the To-Do List may bepresented in a format akin to an ‘Order of Operations’.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 9A-9H, ‘1-7 x’ represent the order ofpriority for the seven Parameters: Where, How, Why, For What, What, Who,and When. These factors are listed in accordance with each FactorCulmination being prioritized in ascending order, in which the firstfactor listed (from top to bottom) is the factor of the greatest valuewithin the respective parameter.

A ranking system is a special case of ponderation where the resultingnumerical score provides a rank ordering of an organization'spreference. An integer weighting scheme is a special embodiment of valuetradeoff when integer weights (e.g., 2x, 5x, or integer-x) are used as ameasure of relative importance/relevance.

As set forth in FIG. 9B, a parameter representing “When” is assigned avalue of 7x. Related information, including optimal date and time isconsidered, for example, as a function of start and end dates, duration,time remaining, repetition of occurrence (and rate of change), recurringfrequency (and rate of change), bond to a series of tasks, frequency ofpush backs (and rate of change), and dates and times mentioned (anddetermined as a function of semantic analysis and interpretation).

As set forth in FIG. 9C, a parameter representing “Who” is assigned avalue of 6x . Related information, including relationship andcollaborative strength is considered, for example, as a function ofasymmetrical relation, frequency of contact (and rate of change), speedof reply (and rate of change), quantity of shared tasks (and rate ofchange), user-designated label(s) relations, and number of participants.

As set forth in FIG. 9D, a parameter representing “What” is assigned avalue of 5x. Related information, including importance of contentstrength is considered, for example, as a function of content medium{kind}, quantity of content (and rate of change), editing frequency (andrate of change), draft quantity (and rate of change), user-designatedlabel(s) relations, and quantity of associated media.

As set forth in FIG. 9E, a parameter representing “For What” is assigneda value of 4x . Related information, including objective or intent isconsidered, for example, as a function of bound to a series of tasks,ripple effect (and rate of change), organization objectives, personalintents, and user-designated label(s) relations.

As set forth in FIG. 9F, a parameter representing “Why” is assigned avalue of 3x. Related information, including efficiency vs. satisfaction,is considered, for example, as a function of manual intent or objective,recurrence frequency (and rate of change), depth past due, quantity ofpush backs (and rate of change), currency or penalty, and label(s)relations.

As set forth in FIG. 9G, a parameter representing “How” is assigned avalue of 2x. Related information, including method or medium isconsidered, for example, as a function of task type, associatedapp/toolkit, access device(s) (and rate of change), communicationprotocols, and document type.

As set forth in FIG. 9H, a parameter representing “Where” is assigned avalue of 1x. Related information, including geo-location is considered,for example, as a function of destination type, from/to addresses,route/traffic calculations (and rate of change), bond to a series ofdestinations, locations mentioned, and semantic analysis{intepretation}.

Thus, as shown and described herein, a plurality of software and/orhardware tools are provided to take advantage of real-time pushtechnologies to greatly improved collaboration across many types ofcommunication media. The communications portal provides a truebreakthrough for organizational proficiency and efficiency in theinternet-based communications sector. The teachings herein provide forreduction, which remove barriers that block task-action, withprioritization providing an active, automated to-do list for everythingthat enters and exits users' workflow, and consolidation, for pairingtasks with the tools needed for completion thereof.

A core tool set may be complemented by a revolutionary task managerfueled by a prioritization algorithm that compares time intervals spenton tasks that are of similar purpose (size or end result), distance andtime between physical locations, and real-time prioritization ofcommunication access to maximize the proficiency and efficiency of taskcompletion. This is the aspect that can be compared to a person having apersonal assistant who decides what you need to do and when you need todo it, with timesaving goals in mind.

Although the present application is described and shown in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus,various embodiments and variations are shown and described herein, andit is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not bythe specific disclosure herein.

1. A method, comprising: storing on one or more processor readable mediathat are operatively coupled to one or more processors, at least onedatabase comprising: electronic user information representing aplurality of users; electronic task information representing a pluralitytasks respectively associated with at least one of the plurality ofusers; and electronic task action information representing a pluralityof actions respectively associated with each of at least one of theplurality of tasks; prioritizing, by the one or more processors, atleast some of the plurality tasks associated with a first user of theplurality of users; prioritizing, by the one or more processors, atleast some of the plurality of actions respectively associated with theat least some of the plurality of tasks; generating, by the one or moreprocessors, a first to-do list, wherein the first to-do list includesthe prioritized tasks associated with the first user; providing, by theone or more processors to a first computing device operated by the firstuser, the first to-do list; receiving, by the one or more processors,first electronic data event information representing a sending orreceiving of first data that are associated with at least one of the atleast some of the plurality of tasks; based at least on the firstelectronic data event information, reprioritizing, by the one or moreprocessors, at least one of the at least some of the plurality of tasksand the at least some of the plurality of respective actions; modifying,by the one or more processors, the first to-do list based at least onethe reprioritizing; and providing, by the one or more processors, to thefirst computing device the modified first to-do list.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first data event information represents one of:information received via an application programming interface;information received via data entry by the first computing device;information received via a communication protocol; information receivedvia an analog communication source; information received via voice overIP; information received via short message service; and informationreceived via videoconferencing.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising providing, by the one or more processors to the firstcomputing device, a communications transcript based at least on thefirst data event information.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the prioritizing and the reprioritizing is performed as afunction of one or more of time, one or more users associated with atleast one of the at least some of the plurality tasks, and at least onecriterion received by the first computing device.
 5. The method of claim1, further comprising determining, by the one or more processors basedat least on the first data event information, a respective applicationprogramming interface for receiving the first data, and accessing, bythe one or more processors, the first data as function of the respectiveapplication programming interface.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: prioritizing, by the one or more processors, at least someof the plurality tasks associated with a second user of the plurality ofusers; prioritizing, by the one or more processors, at least some of theplurality of actions respectively associated with the at least some ofthe plurality of tasks associated with the second user; generating, bythe one or more processors, a second to-do list, wherein the secondto-do list includes the prioritized tasks associated with the seconduser; providing, by the one or more processors to a second computingdevice operated by the second user, the second to-do list; based atleast on the first electronic data event information, reprioritizing, bythe one or more processors, at least one of the at least some of theplurality tasks associated with the second user and the at least some ofthe plurality of actions respectively associated with the at least someof the plurality of tasks associated with the second user; modifying, bythe one or more processors, the second to-do list based at least one thereprioritizing; and providing, by the one or more processors, to thesecond computing device the modified second to-do list.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising formatting, by the one or more processors,the first to-do list to include selectable hyperlinks that, whenselected by the first user operating the first computing device, provideat least one tool for completing at least one of the at least some ofthe plurality of respective actions.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising transmitting, by the one or more processors to at least onesecond computing device respectively operated by at least one seconduser, electronic information associated with the first data eventinformation.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising optimizing, bythe one or more processors, allocation of time for completing at leastone of the at least some of the plurality of respective actions.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the one or moreprocessors, an electronic contact list that includes contact informationfor a plurality of individuals, wherein the electronic contact list isassociated with the first user; calculating, by the one or moreprocessors, a relationship strength based at least on a communicationhistory associated with the first user; sorting, by the one or moreprocessors, the electronic contact list as a function of therelationship strength; and providing the sorted electronic contact listto the first computing device.
 11. A system, comprising: one or moreprocessor readable media that are operatively coupled to one or moreprocessors; at least one database stored on the one or more processorreadable media, the at least one database including: electronic userinformation representing a plurality of users; electronic taskinformation representing a plurality tasks respectively associated withat least one of the plurality of users; and electronic task actioninformation representing a plurality of actions respectively associatedwith each of at least one of the plurality of tasks; wherein the one ormore processors is programmed and configured to: prioritize at leastsome of the plurality tasks associated with a first user of theplurality of users; prioritize at least some of the plurality of actionsrespectively associated with the at least some of the plurality oftasks; generate a first to-do list, wherein the first to-do listincludes the prioritized tasks associated with the first user; provideto a first computing device operated by the first user, the first to-dolist; receive first electronic data event information representing asending or receiving of first data that are associated with at least oneof the at least some of the plurality of tasks; based at least on thefirst electronic data event information, reprioritize at least one ofthe at least some of the plurality tasks and the at least some of theplurality of respective actions; modify the first to-do list based atleast one the reprioritizing; and provide to the first computing devicethe modified first to-do list.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein thefirst data event information represents one of: information received viaan application programming interface; information received via dataentry by the first computing device; information received via acommunication protocol; information received via an analog communicationsource; information received via voice over IP; information received viashort message service; and information received via videoconferencing.13. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors isfurther programmed and configured to provide to the first computingdevice, a communications transcript based at least on the first dataevent information.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one ofthe prioritizing and the reprioritizing is performed as a function ofone or more of time, one or more users associated with at least one ofthe at least some of the plurality tasks, and at least one criterionreceived by the first computing device.
 15. The system of claim 11,wherein the one or more processors is further programmed and configuredto determine, based at least on the first data event information, arespective application programming interface for receiving the firstdata, and accessing, by the one or more processors, the first data asfunction of the respective application programming interface.
 16. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors is furtherprogrammed and configured to: prioritize at least some of the pluralitytasks associated with a second user of the plurality of users;prioritize at least some of the plurality of actions respectivelyassociated with the at least some of the plurality of tasks associatedwith the second user; generate a second to-do list, wherein the secondto-do list includes the prioritized tasks associated with the seconduser; provide to a second computing device operated by the second user,the second to-do list; based at least on the first electronic data eventinformation, reprioritize at least one of the at least some of theplurality tasks associated with the second user and the at least some ofthe plurality of respective actions respectively associated with the atleast some of the plurality of tasks associated with the second user;modify the second to-do list based at least one the reprioritizing; andprovide to the second computing device the modified second to-do list.17. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors isfurther programmed and configured to format the first to-do list toinclude selectable hyperlinks that, when selected by the first useroperating the first computing device, provide at least one tool forcompleting at least one of the at least some of the plurality ofrespective actions.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or moreprocessors is further programmed and configured to transmit to at leastone second computing device respectively operated by at least one seconduser, electronic information associated with the first data eventinformation.
 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or moreprocessors is further programmed and configured to optimize allocationof time for completing at least one of the at least some of theplurality of respective actions.
 20. The system of claim 11, wherein theone or more processors is further programmed and configured to: receivean electronic contact list that includes contact information for aplurality of individuals, wherein the electronic contact list isassociated with the first user; calculate a relationship strength basedat least on a communication history associated with the first user; sortthe electronic contact list as a function of the relationship strength;and provide the sorted electronic contact list to the first computingdevice.